The third volume of the albums recorded at Seattle's Penthouse Club by the Ahmad Jamal Trio, this double CD covers the period between 1966 - 1968 and, like other two, shows the trio once again in splendid form with Jamal a little more adventurous than previous.
Erroll Garner's Misty is far removed from the composer's version. Played over a Latin background it features an amazing dialogue between piano and bass that goes on so long that I began to wonder if the disc was, so to speak, 'stuck in the groove'! Definitely a case of less is more although I guess that if I'd been in the club that night I'd have applauded as loudly as anyone.
Gant's drums are well featured throughout and there's some gorgeous melodic bass lines from Nasser.
Autumn Leaves has an extended uptempo introduction lasting three minutes before the actual melody is flirted with.
Corcovado is part swing and part bossa proving that the twain shall meet. This time the dialogue is between bass and drums (as opposed to drum'n'bass).
Where is Love? swings gently albeit not without some of Jamal's trademark flourishes which help to establish his distinctly personal style.
John Handy's Dance to the Lady is a jazz waltz that's quite delicious with Nasser very lyrical and Gant's brushwork crisp and effective.
The Theme From the Naked City, the American TV series which ran from 1958-1963 (There are eight million stories in the Naked City. This has been one of them). Jamal doesn't play eight million notes but he gives it his best shot.
Emily, Johnny Mandel's great tune is played solo and shows the pianist's sensitive side.
The album closes with Alfie - the Bacharach one not the Rollins' theme tune - imagine Cilla singing Sonny Rollins!
A word of warning. If you buy this one you'll want the other two double albums to complete the set - or will it? The Jazz Detective label is on the case 24/7 so who knows what they will turn up next*. I've already got albums by Bill Evans and Cal Tjader waiting in line. Lance
Other tracks: Gloria; Fantastic Vehicle; Mr. Lucky
* Zev Feldman, the label's founder and chief gumshoe, who goes down those mean streets in search of missing treasure has announced that he has closed the case of Ahmad Jamal at the Penthouse as all of the missing valuables have now been retrieved. He will, however, continue in his pursuit of those other missing gems. Watch this space!
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