"Ahmed: Sama'a (Audition)" Review - A Sonic Journey Through Musical Devotion
Pat Thomas's quartet, Ahmed, took to the stage at Glasgow's Glue Factory in April 2022 with a mission to pay homage to the legacy of jazz legends Art Blakey and Thelonious Monk. The result was an electrifying performance that left the audience entranced and dancing into the wee hours.
The group's sound is a testament to Thomas's boundless creativity, which draws inspiration from a diverse range of sources. From Duke Ellington and dub music to free-improv pioneers Derek Bailey and Steve Noble, no genre or style seems off-limits in Ahmed's exploration of groove music. Saxophonist Seymour Wright channels Evan Parker's saxophone vocabulary, while drummer Joel Grip and Antonin Gerbal power the group with infectious energies.
The Arabic term "sama'a" - or meditative listening to music and poetry - is reflected in the quartet's latest release, Sama'a (Audition). The four-track set is a sonic journey that embodies the spirit of Sufism. Tracks such as Ya Annas (Oh, People) and Isma'a (Listen) showcase Thomas's ability to conjure up otherworldly sounds, from ghostly saxophone textures to pulsating piano-vamping dances.
El Haris (Anxious) brings a sense of urgency and tension to the table, with brittle horn exhalations and long-tone harmonies morphing into a gripping robotic strut. The set concludes with Farah 'Alaiyna (Joy Upon Us), which begins as a delightfully dissonant folk-dance before bursting into a rocketing jazz swing.
The prospect of Ahmed's upcoming Monk tribute is already generating excitement, and this latest release serves as a testament to the quartet's skill and musical devotion. As they continue to push the boundaries of groove music, one thing is certain - Ahmed is an act not to be missed.
In related news, guitarist John Scofield and bassist Dave Holland have released their first duo album, Memories of Home (ECM), which showcases their boppishly hip and warmly engaging sound. Canadian composer Anna Webber's powerful big band release, Unseparate (Out of Your Head), joins this inventive pair's jazz, contemporary-classical, and folk enthusiasms in a subtle balance of arrangements and improv ideas.
Lastly, Mike Westbrook's 1980 session The Cortège Live at the BBC 1980 reappears on Cadillac, bringing to light the previously unissued material from his epic celebration of landmark European literature and cutting-edge jazz.
Pat Thomas's quartet, Ahmed, took to the stage at Glasgow's Glue Factory in April 2022 with a mission to pay homage to the legacy of jazz legends Art Blakey and Thelonious Monk. The result was an electrifying performance that left the audience entranced and dancing into the wee hours.
The group's sound is a testament to Thomas's boundless creativity, which draws inspiration from a diverse range of sources. From Duke Ellington and dub music to free-improv pioneers Derek Bailey and Steve Noble, no genre or style seems off-limits in Ahmed's exploration of groove music. Saxophonist Seymour Wright channels Evan Parker's saxophone vocabulary, while drummer Joel Grip and Antonin Gerbal power the group with infectious energies.
The Arabic term "sama'a" - or meditative listening to music and poetry - is reflected in the quartet's latest release, Sama'a (Audition). The four-track set is a sonic journey that embodies the spirit of Sufism. Tracks such as Ya Annas (Oh, People) and Isma'a (Listen) showcase Thomas's ability to conjure up otherworldly sounds, from ghostly saxophone textures to pulsating piano-vamping dances.
El Haris (Anxious) brings a sense of urgency and tension to the table, with brittle horn exhalations and long-tone harmonies morphing into a gripping robotic strut. The set concludes with Farah 'Alaiyna (Joy Upon Us), which begins as a delightfully dissonant folk-dance before bursting into a rocketing jazz swing.
The prospect of Ahmed's upcoming Monk tribute is already generating excitement, and this latest release serves as a testament to the quartet's skill and musical devotion. As they continue to push the boundaries of groove music, one thing is certain - Ahmed is an act not to be missed.
In related news, guitarist John Scofield and bassist Dave Holland have released their first duo album, Memories of Home (ECM), which showcases their boppishly hip and warmly engaging sound. Canadian composer Anna Webber's powerful big band release, Unseparate (Out of Your Head), joins this inventive pair's jazz, contemporary-classical, and folk enthusiasms in a subtle balance of arrangements and improv ideas.
Lastly, Mike Westbrook's 1980 session The Cortège Live at the BBC 1980 reappears on Cadillac, bringing to light the previously unissued material from his epic celebration of landmark European literature and cutting-edge jazz.
. I'm so down for more music like this - the way they blend different styles and genres is insane 
. And the fact that it's inspired by Sufism, which means "meditative listening to music and poetry", really makes sense given the vibe of the album 
. Not sure about that other release from John Scofield and Dave Holland though 
... sounds kinda mellow for my taste 
.
. I mean, you've got this saxophonist channeling Evan Parker's sound, but also drawing from dub music... it's like a sonic puzzle coming together in this beautiful way. And the use of Arabic terms like "sama'a" to describe their music is such a great touch - it adds this depth and meaning that takes the listener on a journey 
. I love how Pat Thomas's creativity is inspiring, but also rooted in jazz traditions at the same time 
. The way the band balances groove with more experimental sounds is really compelling too - it's like they're pushing the boundaries of what's possible in music 
.
by their unique sound! It's like they're speaking a different language on stage, but in the best way possible 
. The way Pat Thomas weaves together all these different styles and influences is pure genius 
. I mean, who else can make dub music and free-improv sound so cohesive? 
And that saxophone playing by Seymour Wright is just incredible! 
It's like he's channeling the spirits of Art Blakey and Thelonious Monk themselves 
. I'm already counting down the days until their next show... get ready for some serious groove action 
#AhmedSamaa #JazzRevolution #MusicToMyEars
they're really tapping into that otherworldly vibe with the Sufi inspiration 
i mean who knew saxophone textures could sound so ethereal? 
and the way the tracks flow from meditative to explosive is like nothing i've ever heard before 
just listened to the new album Sama'a (Audition) by Ahmed and I'm OBSESSED 
Seymour Wright on saxophone is straight fire 
and Pat Thomas's piano playing is like nothing I've ever heard before... the way he creates these otherworldly sounds is mind-blowing 
gotta check out the rest of Ahmed's discography ASAP! 
. We need more musicians who are unafraid to take risks, who are willing to challenge the status quo with their art. And if Ahmed's Sama'a (Audition) can do that for us, then we're all winners 
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. He's got this legacy that transcends generations - just like how jazz is all about evolution and pushing forward. So yeah, if Ahmed's music is anything like Sufi-inspired sounds, then we should be celebrating it 
also gotta give props to Pat Thomas for pushing boundaries in groove music
Their sound is like a wild ride through different genres and styles - it's so refreshing! The way they blend jazz, dub, free-improv, and Arabic influences is pure magic 
. Pat Thomas is a genius on saxophone and his collaborations with Joel Grip and Antonin Gerbal are 
. But what really gets me excited is the upcoming Monk tribute... we're in for a real treat! 
. Pat Thomas's creativity is insane, blending everything from jazz legends to dub music and Arabic influences. The way the band explores groove music is infectious, you can't help but dance along 
. I'm also super stoked about the upcoming Monk tribute - that's gonna be epic! 
. Seriously though, Ahmed's latest release Sama'a (Audition) is quite the journey and I love how they're blending all these different styles together to create this unique groove sound. The fact that they're drawing inspiration from jazz legends like Blakey and Monk is awesome 
. And who knew saxophonist Seymour Wright could channel Evan Parker's vibes so well? 
Can't wait to see what Ahmed does next, especially with their upcoming Monk tribute 
. The Arabic influence really adds a unique layer to their music, too - it's like they're taking you on this sonic journey through the Middle East 
. Can't wait for their Monk tribute, that's gonna be fire 
