Search - Abdullah Ibrahim :: Senzo

It's Amazing!

Sue R. Morin | 12/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Abdullah Ibrahim's new recording is gorgeous. The word Senzo means ancestors. Ibrahim's piano calls to all of them, around the world and beyond. Indescribable."

Like a private concert at home!

David J. Ohanlon | Lilyfield, NSW Australia | 06/20/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not usually one for solo piano albums but as Abdullah Ibrahim is one of my favourite all-time artists I decided to give this a try. After a highly promising start (the opener "Ocean and the River" is excellent), the chords on the next four pieces may seem a little choppy & jangly on first listen with something of a lack of "light and shade" (one should note that the whole album is joined together as a "suite" so that the listener has to get used to a lack of specific "pausing for air" or "getting in the zone" for each piece). However, if you stick with it & get used to the style great wonders abound (& indeed from almost skipping past "Blues for a Hip King" (Track 6) on first listen it is now one of my favourites).

Each listen truly unveils more & more layers of texture and especially from Track 8 ("Tookah"), a bright boppy break after "Third Line Samba", each track seems better able to assert its own character with Tookah itself being followed by the excellent, rollicking "Pula (Rain)" & then the down tempo, reflective "For Coltrane". Also "Banyana" is a lovely interlude between "Meditation" & "Mamma".

So, overall a highly satisfying album (if you sit back & close your eyes without any other distractions you can almost imagine Ibrahim performing a private concert just for you in your own home) but largely in the nature of a retrospective rather than anything groundbreaking.

Nonetheless definitely recommended."