Ahmad Jamal, The Awakening… where do I even begin to comment on this highly complex and influential masterpiece?
It was originally recorded at Plaza Sound Studios in New York in 1970, was repressed via Be With Records in March. The news all jazz fanatics have been waiting to hear!
The Pittsburg born and bred musician is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most revered jazz musicians the world has ever seen. Having released around 20 albums via Chess Records, Jamal then started on his album, The Awakening, over the course of two days for Impulse! Records (Creed Taylor’s first label). At the same time Impulse! was working with the likes of John Coltrane and Charles Mingus - this alone shows us the immense calibre needed to work with this prestigious label.
Ahmad Jamal plays the piano with a style that cannot be replicated. He was able to truly understand the instrument and make it his own. Jamal is best known for his sparseness and his ability to be in possession of one sound, but being able to incorporate beautiful variety in his style of playing. Even though Jamal is the foundation stone of this LP, he wouldn’t of been able to accomplish the rich sound without the meticulous timing of Jamil Nasser on the bass and the scrupulous precision of Frank Grant on the drums. Not many musicians could keep up with Jamal’s unpredictability on the piano with such ease. The trio were able to utilize many different grooves on this LP, such as swing and elements of funk. However, the real genius is how they blended the grooves with modern harmonies to create a timeless sound. The star of The Awakening is 'I Love Music'. Not to take anything away from Nasser and Grant, but Jamal took centre stage and dominated it expertly with harmonic intricacy. At the same time he allowed room for the rhythm section to sink their teeth in to create the finesse. The composition itself is undeniably beautiful. The consistent change in rhythmic speed and the erratic nature of its excitable chords is what really increases the heart rate. However, in all its complexity Jamal is still able to craft memorable motifs and powerful harmonies.
Even though this is album is a jazz triumph, the record intrigued some of the most revered hip-hop artists during the 90’s. DJ Premier (half of Gang Starr) was the first to uncover the albums sampling opportunity. He looped the opening bar of the album’s first composition and exploited it halfway through Gang Starr’s first album, No More Mr. Nice Guy. Soon after, numerous other artists in the hip-hop world started sampling Jamal’s work; Shadez Of Brooklyn, Nas and Common have all chopped and sampled The Awakening. Jamal’s talent was so organic, so innovative, that it even struck a powerful chord with one of the titans of jazz, Miles Davis. His work and his style of production were inspired by Jamal. Davis in his 1989 autobiography gave tribute to him stating that he was electrified by his “concept of space, his lightness of touch and his understatement”.
This album is a must have so make sure to grab yourself a copy of this limited repress!
Listen to the full album
Buy: Vinyl
Words by Max J