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This undeservedly underrated album is a welcome, although rather expensive re-master. For me, it is well worth the wait, being an avid Jamal fan. I have an old mono lp that doesn't have near the superior sound reproduction this cd does.
This album is rather unique in that the string ensemble is supportive rather than dominant or even intrusive as is often the case with similar efforts. Joe Kennedy has done a masterful arranging effort on these tunes. It is almost like the strings are in conversation with Jamal's piano. You get everything from up tempo romps like "Comme Ci, Comme" and "Tangerine" to ballads like Sophisticated Gentleman and even a bolero beat on "Ivy". And is there drummer past or present who lay down a bolero beat like Vernel Fourniere could?
The re-mastering is superior and is in stereo with the most ideal instrument separation imaginable (in my opinion, of course). You get the piano in the middle, bass on the left, drums on the right and the string ensemble separated throughout the full spectrum. I've never heard Israel Crosby this clearly before and I spend considerable time just digging his great bass lines. He was truly a master bassist.
The album is a virtual mini LP with cardboard style jacket and all original liner notes. There is no indication the album is in stereo, but it is!
You don't have to be a Jamal fan to love this album. It is, just simply, very good music. My only significant gripe is that the album is only barely 28 minutes long and Ahmad's solos are therefor very short on most tracks. There are no bonus tracks. Those exceptions along with the price keep me from giving this package more than four stars.
Nevertheless, in spite of the price, I consider this unique cd no brainer recommendation.
