Ahmad Jamal - Jamal Plays Jamal

All Music Guide

Jamal Plays Jamal epitomizes the commercial leanings and pop textures that dominate Ahmad Jamal's mid1970s fusion efforts for the 20th Century labelthough his funkiest and most accessible recording to date, it nevertheless retains the melodic invention and intricacy of his more conventional jazz records. Despite the mefirst title, the success of Jamal Plays Jamal hinges most on the pianist's longtime bassist Jamil Nasser, whose fluid, supple rhythms galvanize funkinspired material like "Eclipse" and "Dialogue"Richard Evans' inspired arrangements are also vital, ranging from the dramatic "Pastures" to the shadowy "Death and Resurrection." Of course, it's Jamal's name above and in the title, and his keyboard work here is both nuanced and dynamicjazz purists may reject this music on principle, but more openminded listeners will appreciate its energy and excitement.

- Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide