Pianist Ahmad Jamal (a man even Miles Davis credited as a big influence)
is now 81 — and he remains a genius at the art of motivic improvising,
repeating a catchy theme (so listeners don't lose the plot) while
transforming it with fresh melody. Here, Jamal combines eloquent
originals with dazzling makeovers of American standards (Laura,
Invitation, Gypsy and the title track), in the inspired company of
Wynton Marsalis sidemen Reginald Veal (bass) and Herlin Riley (drums),
with an incandescent Manolo Badrena on Latin percussion. Jamal's Autumn
Rain opens the show with his trademark grandiloquent chords over a
ticking rimshot groove, turning to rolling keyboard-length runs and a
funk feel. Blue Moon is a classic firework display of silvery runs and
arpeggios full of hints of the tune, the original I Remember Italy is a
delicious, tender melody, and the jazz standby Woody 'n You is as
vivacious a Latin dance as anything Jamal might have recorded in his
early years. Sometimes his virtuosity takes Jamal over the top, but this
session looks set to be one of his classics.
By John Fordham (The Guardian)
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