AHMAD JAMAL - The Essence, Part 1 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mostly recorded in Paris, with two additional tracks from New York, this absorbing collection is a testament to the continuing ability of Ahmad Jamal to startle and engage jazz listeners who are tired of Tyner/Evans clones and want to hear something different. An equal mixture of standards and Jamal compositions, some of which move through several contrasting sections, this CD reaches its peaks when Jamal and company dive in and work around a single bass ostinato and a propulsive rhythm groove. Bassists James Cammack (Paris) and Jamil Nasser (New York) provide the former, drummer Idris Muhammad and percussionist Manolo Badrena are in charge of the latter, and a tough-sounding George Coleman turns up on tenor on the New York tracks. One fascinating quirk -- Jamal seemed fixated upon Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments" at these sessions, for he quotes the tune several times on the album. These sessions were so fruitful that Verve was able to serve up a tasty second helping a year later. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1    Flight    6:32
Ahmad Jamal
2    Toulouse    6:56
Ahmad Jamal
3    The Essence    10:14
Ahmad Jamal
Bass – Jamil Nasser
Tenor Saxophone – George Coleman
4    Lover Man     5:49
Jimmy Davis / Roger "Ram" Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman
5    Catalina    6:44
Ahmad Jamal
6    Autumn Leaves    6:58
Joseph Kosma / Johnny Mercer / Jacques Prévert
Bass – Jamil Nasser
Tenor Saxophone – George Coleman
7    Street Of Dreams    5:33
Sam M. Lewis / Victor Young
8    Bahia    6:35
Abelardo Barroso
Credits :
Bass – James Cammack (faixas: except tracks 3 & 6)
Drums – Idris Muhammad
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Piano – Ahmad Jamal