Label: Gearbox Records, 2024
Personnel - Abdullah Ibrahim: piano; Noah Jackson: double bass, cello; Cleave Guyton Jr.: flute, piccolo.
The legendary South African pianist and composer, Abdullah Ibrahim, is heard leading a trio - with members of his EKAYA band: bassist/cellist Noah Jackson and flutist Cleave Guyton Jr. - in a double album that captures music in different contexts. The first disc consists of six originals recorded without an audience ahead of a concert at London’s Barbican Centre in 2023. The second disc is the concert itself, featuring a blend of original compositions and covers.
Expressing himself with distinctive idioms, Ibrahim flows calmly, benefiting from the wholehearted accompaniment of his peers, who tackle old tunes like “Tswake” and “Ishmael” on their own. The former starts with a flurried bass, and the flute imparts a pronounced bluesy and jazzy feel, while the latter revolves around a central bass groove. To contrast these piano-less numbers, “Krotoa-Crystal Clear”, previously included in the album Mukashi - Once Upon a Time (Sunnyside, 2014) - takes the form of a solo piano meditation with rich, exquisite harmonies sustaining quietly poignant melodies where emotions flow effortlessly.
The opening track, “Barakat”, rests in a slow movement characterized by grace, elegance, and space. The flute takes center stage, complemented by an enriching cello operating on the groove side but also melodic at times. “Marába” is a reverential African folk song delivered with a delicate touch, positive attitude, and gentle rhythm. The first half concludes with the meditative classic “Mindif”, at once beautiful and heartbreaking.
The second disc includes not only well-known Ibrahim compositions like “Water From an Ancient Well”, “The Wedding”, and “Nisa”, but also renditions of tunes by Duke Ellington (“In a Sentimental Mood”), John Coltrane (“Giant Steps”), and Thelonious Monk (“Skippy”).
Nothing really burns intensely on Ibrahim’s latest release but the music, possessing healing powers, maintains its flow with a refined gloss that reflects the heritage, unique playing, and masterful compositional prowess of a great artist.
Favorite Tracks (Disc One):
01 - Barakat ► 04 - Marába ► 06 - Mindif