Still going strong at 89, Abdullah Ibrahim continues to grow as a pianist and composer, with a two disc album recorded both directly to tape in concert (one with and one without an audience) with Cleave Guyton Jr/fl-pic and Noah Jackson/b-cel. The music reflects Ibrahim’s career, as it displays the soul of swing, bebop, post bop and the heart of Africa.
Ibrahim mixes up the group dynamics with some solos, duets and mostly trios. By himself, he is nocturnal on a lovely “Krotoa-Crystal Clear” and Chopinesue during “Blue Bolero”. He does a raid run with Guyton’s piccolo on the playful “Tuan Guru” and even sits out for the team on a nimble and mystical “Tsak We”, with Jackson in a joyful mood on his read of “Giant Steps”.
As a trio, Ibrahim is filled with lyricism and mysticism, impressionistic around the bowed Jackson on “Mindif”, probing on the dark “Ishmael” and dreamy on a read of “In A Sentimental Mood”. His hands have a balmy touch throughout, as on the gentle “Water From An Ancient Well” and supple for Guyton’s vibrato of “Dreamtime”. Ibrahim closes things out with a vocal chantlike story, giving a perspective of the ill-conceived slave trade.
Ibrahim continues to make music that unites and stimulates, fresher than most things by artists 1/3 his age. He was so much older then; he’s younger than that now.