Search - Ahmad Jamal :: Freeflight [Live]

Great Live show!

Sambson | North Carolina | 10/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many know the Miles Davis quote that he wanted his band to sound like one of Ahmad Jamal's groups. Well, here's one good reason why. Jamal on piano, Jamil Nasser on bass and Frank Gant on drums lay down an understated, seemingly effortless, classic performance. The finale, 11 1/2 minutes of "Poinciana", is the highlight (if you need one) and the singular reason to get this disc. Executed in a very cool, and yet slightly third stream manner, Jamal quotes a half-dozen different tunes at a relaxed pace as they head into the midpoint of the song, then cuts loose with some funked up versions of the theme. At times resembling Erroll Garner By The Sea with funky bop backup, then falling back into the fledgling fusion of the early 70's; this document is worthy of any jazz fan, especially Jamalophiles.

(In regard to someone's comments- I'm writing a revieq for the Ahmad Jamal Trio album titled "Freeflight"; not the Yellowjackets live album of the same title. I hope someone at Amazon corrects this mistake.)"