Mayor of Punkville cover

Mayor of Punkville

William Parker · 2000

140 min · 11 tracks · free jazz

A sprawling tapestry of avant-garde jazz woven with deep political and cultural reflections.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing inviting reflection
  • long tracks for deep engagement
  • dynamic exploration of complex themes
  • political and cultural depth
  • interludes providing thoughtful pauses

Maybe skip if you want

  • seeking instant gratification
  • prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2000, 'Mayor of Punkville' marks a significant moment for William Parker as it showcases his evolution into a prominent figure in free jazz. At this point, Parker had already established himself through collaborations and previous works, but this album solidified his voice as a bandleader and composer, following his acclaimed projects in the late 1990s.
Stylistic neighbors
David S. Ware· Matthew Shipp· Sun Ra

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Interlude #1 (The Next Phase) 4:00
  • 2 James Baldwin to the Rescue 18:26
  • 3 Oglala Eclipse 19:47
  • 4 I Can’t Believe I Am Here 28:50

Disc 2

  • 1 Interlude No.7 (Huey’s Blues) 5:23
  • 2 3 Steps to Nøh Mountain: Departure 5:08
  • 3 3 Steps to Nøh Mountain: Soft Wheel 5:22
  • 4 3 Steps to Nøh Mountain: Laughing Eyes and Dancing Hearts 3:45
  • 5 The Mayor of Punkville 30:52
  • 6 Interlude No.8 (Holy Door) 6:01
  • 7 Anthem 13:06

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata