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Monday, Nov. 18
The Indiana Daily Student

You might have missed!Maceo Parker

Dial Maceo

At 58, Maceo Parker still has it going on. Spinning funk, R&B, jazz, rap and black-suit-and-tie style into an eclectic yet flowing mix, Dial Maceo is one CD that is worth the purchase. \nWith a touchtone telephone intro calling into the line Rabbits in the pea patch, catch 'em, catch 'em, the album opens with the same odd originality that is the foundation of the music.\nParker's wailing saxophone slides with energy and groove from the beginning to the end -- unless he is laying on the flute or vocals. Parker's music is the kind to dance to in a small club of black tie quality. The instrumentals suit Parker's carefree and intelligent attitude.\nVariety spices up the 12 tracks. After a spunky tune with jumping percussion, Parker easily glides into a smooth jazz romance compilation with Prince. After the sexy jazz, he moves onto a duskily chanted story of a "Black Widow," with an eerie flute backing. Next a funk track with a percussion intro, and so on.\nParker is not the only talent on the disc. Female backup vocals, including Ani DiFranco on "Coin Toss," and an amazing backup band give the album its base of spirit and spunk. The instrumentalists know how to toss the listeners up in an energetic funk and bring them back down to groove. This band has more than one trick up its suit-coat sleeve.\nWith the knowledge of age as his witness, Parker still puts a youthful vibe into his music. Using his interesting sense of humor and honest, talented musicianship, Parker has put out a more than quality album. Dial Maceo should be played on every speaker, everywhere. \nEven at frat parties.

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