Impulse!, 1970
By 1970, pianist Ahmad Jamal's playing had moved on from his 1950s style, becoming more adventurous while still retaining his signature elegance. On The Awakening, he demonstrates his questing imagination to magnificent effect. His two originals - the title track and “Patterns” - show his mastery of free-flowing melodicism and a lightly swinging touch. And on a handful of standards including Herbie Hancock’s “Dolphin Dance” and a stripped back reading of Oliver Nelson’s “Stolen Moments” he gets right to the heart of the tune. With sensitive and deft accompaniment from bassist Jamil Nasser and drummer Frank Gant, it’s a date to savour.
This Verve By Request Series features a remastered transfer on 180-gram vinyl, pressed at Third Man in Detroit.
Tracklist:
Side A
1. The Awakening
2. I Love Music
3. Patterns
Side B
4. Dolphin Dance
5. You're My Everything
6. Stolen Moments
7. Wave
