Pat Thomas's quartet, أحمد [Ahmed], has been on quite the musical journey since its inception. This collective has fused various styles and genres from around the world into their unique sound, drawing inspiration from icons such as Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, and even electronic music. Saxophonist Seymour Wright's vocabulary has absorbed influences from Evan Parker and Eddie Prévost, while bassist Joel Grip and drummer Antonin Gerbal bring powerful energy to their performances.
The group's latest release, Sama'a (Audition), embodies the spirit of meditative listening that is at the heart of Thomas's own spiritual practices. The Arabic term sama'a means "meditative listening" or "listening to music and poetry," and this album's four tracks embody that concept. From the ghostly sax sounds on "Ya Annas" to the furious free-sax improv in "Isma'a (Listen)," each track showcases the band's incredible range and versatility.
One of the standout features of أحمد [Ahmed] is their ability to balance different styles and moods within a single piece. The opening track begins with split-note sax sounds, gradually giving way to a pulsating piano dance before descending into chaos. Similarly, "Farah 'Alaiyna (Joy Upon Us)" starts as dissonant folk-dance but evolves into an exhilarating jazz swing.
While the group's next album is still in 2026, Sama'a (Audition) already feels like a masterclass in collective improvisation and musical devotion. With their unique blend of abstract improv, groove music, and global influences, أحمد [Ahmed] are sure to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible on stage.
Meanwhile, other notable releases this month include Memories of Home by John Scofield and Dave Holland, a warmly engaging duo album that shares their boppishly hip country-bluesy sound. The second release from Canadian composer Anna Webber, Unseparate (Out of Your Head), showcases her powerful big band's inventive arrangements and fine young lineup's improv ideas. Lastly, Mike Westbrook's 1980 session The Cortège Live at the BBC 1980 reappears on Cadillac, a celebration of landmark 20th-century European literature as well as cutting-edge jazz.
The group's latest release, Sama'a (Audition), embodies the spirit of meditative listening that is at the heart of Thomas's own spiritual practices. The Arabic term sama'a means "meditative listening" or "listening to music and poetry," and this album's four tracks embody that concept. From the ghostly sax sounds on "Ya Annas" to the furious free-sax improv in "Isma'a (Listen)," each track showcases the band's incredible range and versatility.
One of the standout features of أحمد [Ahmed] is their ability to balance different styles and moods within a single piece. The opening track begins with split-note sax sounds, gradually giving way to a pulsating piano dance before descending into chaos. Similarly, "Farah 'Alaiyna (Joy Upon Us)" starts as dissonant folk-dance but evolves into an exhilarating jazz swing.
While the group's next album is still in 2026, Sama'a (Audition) already feels like a masterclass in collective improvisation and musical devotion. With their unique blend of abstract improv, groove music, and global influences, أحمد [Ahmed] are sure to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible on stage.
Meanwhile, other notable releases this month include Memories of Home by John Scofield and Dave Holland, a warmly engaging duo album that shares their boppishly hip country-bluesy sound. The second release from Canadian composer Anna Webber, Unseparate (Out of Your Head), showcases her powerful big band's inventive arrangements and fine young lineup's improv ideas. Lastly, Mike Westbrook's 1980 session The Cortège Live at the BBC 1980 reappears on Cadillac, a celebration of landmark 20th-century European literature as well as cutting-edge jazz.
... Their music is like a meditation, but what if it's too deep? What if we can't handle the complexity? 
The way they blend styles and moods, it's like trying to navigate a treacherous sea 
. And the sax sounds on "Ya Annas" are giving me goosebumps... in a bad way 
. It's like my heart is racing too fast 
. I'm still trying to process the album, but it feels like Ahmad [Ahmed] is preparing us for something big... or maybe just a existential crisis 
.
... get it? Jazz? Okay, okay, moving on. Seriously though, their blend of styles is straight fire 
. I mean, who needs just one genre when you can throw in some electronic music vibes, Arabic influences, and good ol' fashioned free sax improv? 
Anyway, if their next album is gonna be as dope as this one, I'm all in for more!
I gotta ask, how much of this album Sama'a (Audition) by Pat Thomas's quartet أحمد [Ahmed] is actually improvised? I mean, the writer says they're masters at collective improvisation and musical devotion, but what's the source on that claim? Any interviews or videos where you can see them jamming live? And btw, what's up with all these releases coming out this month? Is it like a jazz album drop day or something? 
It's like they're speaking some other language that we mere mortals can only try to understand 
Unseparate by Anna Webber sounds pretty cool too, big band vibes and all that jazz 
they're like this musical dream team that's weaving together all these different threads from around the world and making something entirely new and beautiful out of it. I mean, the way they blend electronic music vibes with traditional jazz and Arabic influences is just magic 
their live shows must be insane, I can only imagine the energy and emotion that pours out onto the stage.
. Can't wait to see what they come up with next! 
I mean, who knew sax sounds could be so ethereal? 
And that pianist in the middle track? Magic 
reminds me of when I used to sneak into my big brother's jazz records when we were kids back in the day...
. The way they blend different styles and moods into one piece is pure magic 
. I'm loving how their saxophonist Seymour Wright draws inspiration from some of my favorite musicians like Evan Parker and Eddie Prévost 