Ahmad Jamal - Ahmad Jamal's Alhambra

Ahmad Jamal - Ahmad Jamal's Alhambra - Argo LP 685 - Original Argo Pressing, Stereo, Blue Label

Ahmad Jamal - Piano
Israel Crosby - Bass
Vernell Fournier -Drums

Recorded - June 1961, Ahmad Jamal's Alhambra, Chicago [only date listed but according to most discographies, sometime in July 1961?]

Supervision - Leonard Chess
Engineer - Ron Malo
Cover - Don Bronstein

Released - September 25, 1961

Here's more classic and exquisite Ahmad Jamal as this blog continues its march to find, post and restore every last Jamal side on Argo/Cadet that is unavailable/or out of print... This time we have the first volume of the summer 1961 live recordings of the first and legendary Ahmad Jamal trio cut in Jamal's own home turf of his supper dining club, the Alhambra.

These final live 1961 recordings are my favorite sides of the trio as you really hear all three players at the pinnacle of their powers, working very closely together, almost in synchronicity as they achieve jazz piano trio perfection. Just average fidelity, off a pretty beat up, VG- original Argo vinyl. Decided to offer my own fold down mono mix, as the original stereo mix didn't sound right - perhaps too thin, an electronically re channeled fake 'stereo' mix that didn't accurately reflect the live recording.

Get it