A fascinating and adventurous piece of late-50s jazz from Ahmed Abdul-Malik, originally released on RCA Victor in 1960.
East Meets West is a remarkable meeting point between Middle Eastern musical traditions and hard bop, with Abdul-Malik’s oud and exotic percussion set against an extraordinary jazz line-up featuring Lee Morgan, Benny Golson, Johnny Griffin, Curtis Fuller and Jerome Richardson.
The album moves between hypnotic Eastern melodies, deep rhythmic passages and swinging jazz, creating a unique and highly atmospheric sound. “E-Lail (The Night),” “Searchin’” and “Isma’a (Listen)” are particular highlights, while the haunting “Takseem (Solo)” adds an even more exotic dimension.
A beautiful and unusual record for collectors of spiritual jazz, exotic jazz, modal jazz and early East/West fusion — and a great opportunity to hear some major Blue Note-era players in a very different setting.
Original US RCA Victor stereo pressing – LSP-2015 from 1960 is in close to perfect condition.
