AHMAD JAMAL — Ahmad's Blues (1958-1994) RM | The Original Chess Masters Jazz Series, GRP Presents The Legendary Masters Of Jazz | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

One of Miles Davis's favorite musicians, Ahmad Jamal has a unique approach as a pianist, composer, and arranger that is highly influential and distinctive. Possessed of a light, almost classical touch, and a purveyor of negative space and minimal phrasing (his influence on Davis can certainly be seen here), Jamal worked largely in trio settings, and used his conceptions of space and subtlety to create dynamic tensions within the group. At the same time, the artist's work is rooted firmly in the blues and swings intently, without fail. Ahmad's Blues, the trio's 1958 live date in Washington D.C., demonstrates all of these qualities in spades. Supremely attentive playing by bassist Israel Crosby and drummer Vernel Fournier (his brush work on the intricate, gear-shifting "Autumn Leaves" is especially noteworthy) provides groundwork, foil, and shifting frames for Jamal's virtuoso explorations. The ensemble's work brings new ideas -- the musicians often incorporate understated mambo, fractured swing rhythms, or airy, abstract structures -- to standards ("Stompin' at the Savoy;" "Cheek to Cheek") and to Jamal's own compositions (the delicate "Seleritus"). Ahmad's Blues allows us to eavesdrop on the sophisticated, innovative artist and company at work. AllMusic
Tracklist :
1. Ahmad's Blues 4:05
 Ahmad Jamal
2. It Could Happen To You 4:15
 Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
3. I Wish I Knew 3:45
 Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
4. Autumn Leaves 7:40
 Joseph Kosma / Johnny Mercer / Jacques Prévert
5. Stompin' At The Savoy 4:15
 Benny Goodman / Andy Razaf / Edgar Sampson / Chick Webb
6. Cheek To Cheek 4:47
 Irving Berlin
7. The Girl Next Door 3:26
 Ralph Blane / Hugh Martin
8. Secret Love 3:51
 Sammy Fain / Paul Francis Webster
9. Squatty Roo 2:18
 Johnny Hodges
10. Taboo 4:01
 Margarita Lecuona / Bob Russell
11. Autumn In New York 3:18
 Vernon Duke
12. A Gal In Calico 4:44
 Leo Robin / Arthur Schwartz
13. That's All 2:38
 Alan Brandt / Bob Haymes / Clyde Otis / Kelly Owens
14. Should I? 3:39
 Nacio Herb Brown / Arthur Freed
15. Seleritus 3:12
 Ahmad Jamal
16. Let's Fall In Love 5:06
 Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
Credits :
Bass – Israel Crosby
Drums – Vernell Fournier
Piano – Ahmad Jamal
Notas :
Recorded in performance at the Spotlite Club, Washington D.C.; September 6, 1958.
Tracks 3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 & 14 originally issued as Argo LP636, "Ahmad Jamal".
Tracks 1,2,4,13,15 & 16 were included on Argo LP2-638, "Portfolio of Ahmad Jamal".