The good musicianship on this CD is marred by William Parker's trite, awkward poetry, which is somewhat rescued by Leena Conquest's excellent singing. As usual, Barnes, Parker, Brown, and especially Drake are a potent force, but the music on this CD is not as adventurous or interesting as on their earlier instrumental CD's, especially O'Neil's Porch. For a CD with poetry by Parker that is not as clumsy and saccharine as this, try Raining on the Moon from 2002. Conquest is great on that CD, and Parker and Drake find some wicked grooves on there that are much more potent than on this one.

The William Parker Quartet plus (these) Two is a force! Not in the brutal, mind-eating, exhilirating way as Never Too Late But Always Too Early is a force, but in the opposite way. This band and album is purely beautiful.

With Leena Conquest singing and Eri Yamamoto on piano, this augmented William Parker Quartet (WP, Rob Brown, Lewis Barnes, Hamid Drake) becomes universal elevation of conciousness turned into sound and song.

Where Raining on the Moon (another favorite of mine, with 1 song that haunts me) had Leena on most songs, Corn Meal Dance has her on every track. There are times she'll sing/say a phrase and it hits me like The Truth. A Law. Something that just IS, or should be. Eri is a beautiful player. She completely understands and completes this side of William. I never got Luc's Lantern but based on Eri here, I'm going to have to.

There's nothing here I dislike but Tutsi Orphans and Soledad melt me. This band is love, compassion and hope as sound. If you can get through this album a few times without shedding any tears, you're either a stronger or weaker person than me. I'm not sure which. The world needs this music. William's melodies work perfectly with his poems/lyrics.

This is my favorite WP Quartet-related album yet. He is tapped in. This album is magical. I feel blessed just to know it. Thank you Leena, Eri, Rob, Lewis, Hamid and the portal through which this all flows, William.

Very strong disc. 68 minutes of wonderful, joyous song with melody and lyric a moving commentary on life's bittersweet side. Leena Conquest sings the songs with absolute conviction, whether sorrowful or humourous, and always with a deep heartfelt edge. The band with William Parker on bass, Rob Brown on alto, Lewis Barnes on trumpet, Hamid Drake on drums, and Eri Yamamoto on the piano back the singer with muscular restraint. That harnessed energy sometimes explodes into a brilliant searing alto solo from Rob Brown who is, to this ear, beyond amazing. Eri Yamamoto's piano is the big plus here. Her playing conveys the mood of each piece and compliments the other players when they step forward to solo. Her touch, taste, and sensitivity is strongly felt throughout the recording. Barnes, Parker, and Drake contribute masterfully in their supporting roles, playing somewhat gentler than on other recordings, yet superb in this context.
This one is heartily recommended to everyone. It's accessible on all levels and will appeal to those who dig William Parker and the avant garde as well as those whose tastes run toward more mainstream jazz singing. It really is a hip disc that deserves your attention.