| 2-disc set!
A great double-length set from Amad Jamal -- material originally issued on his 4th trio album for Argo, plus the even longer Portrait Of Ahmad Jamal -- one of the first 2LP sets ever issued by the label! The double CDs set features tracks all recorded at the Spotlite Club in Washington, DC on September 5 and 6, 1958 -- live material, but captured with crystal-clear sound, so that the nuances of the Jamal trio come through beautifully! The collection is magical early work from Ahmad Jamal -- a scintillating blend of piano, percussion, and bass -- with a sound that was incredibly fresh at the time, and which still sounds pretty much so to our ears! The album crackles with imagination and rhythm -- really hitting on all burners without burning itself out -- and showing that even in these early days, Jamal's approach was one that could be as striking as it was mellow. Bass is by the incredible Israel Crosby, and drums are by Vernell Fournier -- and the 2CD set features 25 live tracks that include "Taboo", "The Girl Next Door", "Should I", "Secret Love", "Squatty Roo", "Aki & Ukthay", "Our Delight", "Tater Pie", "Seleritus", "This Can't Be Love", "Ole Devil Moon", "Ivy", and "Let's Fall In Love". Also features 3 bonus tracks from singles -- studio recordings of "Taking A Chance On Love", "Secret Love", and "Soft Winds". |