Herlin Riley

Ahmad Jamal is a survivor: born in 1930 his importance in jazz history seems to grow with age. Now the cover of his new album 'Marseille' won't win him any prizes. The music certainly will.

Does the man has a love affair with Marseille? Fact is that two tracks named 'Marseille', in which a different vocalist (Abd Al Malik or Mina Agossi) offers spoken word, are central to this recording. A record date which leaves us yet again with marvel about Jamal's both gentle and adventurous piano playing.

Ahmad Jamal Marseille