Awakening

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing housed in a luxurious gatefold jacket adorned with the original eye-catching artwork throughout. Includes original sleeve notes. Ahmad Jamal is a jazz giant and The Awakening is his iconic masterpiece. The landmark deep trio session - recorded in NYC and released on Impulse! In 1970 - is an essential album and perennially sought-after on vinyl, so Be With Records are delighted to make it available again. As a "Zen master of jazz piano" and one of it's greatest innovators, Jamal evolved his elegant sound with this adventurous record. The Awakening showcased his fast, richly melodic chops in remarkable variation. A consummate orchestrator of his own complex arrangements, Jamal was emboldened here by his potent sidemen. Backed by the exquisite timing of bassist Jamil Nasser and the precision of Frank Gant's drumming, he was liberated by the reliability of the trio setup. It is impossible to discuss The Awakening without acknowledging it's indelible mark on golden age rap. A defining album of hip-hop culture, producers of the highest caliber have famously sampled elements of this timeless record to lace all-timers with a foundation for their most legendary tracks. Indeed, both the experimental "DJ Premier In Deep Concentration" and Shadez Of Brooklyn's seminal "Change" utilized Jamal's sparse title-track to stunning effect. Simon Francis' sensitive mastering ensures the sonics are majestic throughout.