Ahmed Abdul-Malik – “Out Of Nowhere”
Ahmed Abdul-Malik – “African Bossa Nova”
Ahmed Abdul-Malik – “Communication”
From “Sounds of Africa” : 1962 : New Jazz NJLP 8282
“Sounds of Africa” is a funky and soulful affair that adds African rhythms to what is essentially a hard bop sound. Ahmed Abdul-Malik’s bass is front and center on most of the album and he even plays the oud on a few of the tracks (he makes a brief appearance on that instrument as part of Coltrane’s band during their legendary 1961 stint at the Village Vanguard). Abdul-Malik will always be best known for his work with Thelonious Monk in the late 1950′s (“Misterioso, “Thelonious in Action”, “Live at the Five Spot Discovery!”), but he also has a nice set of solo albums from the early 60′s on the New Jazz label that showcase his compositional skills and superb chops as a leader of his own groups.
Players:
On Out of Nowhere:
Tommy Turrentine (tp)
Bilal Abdurrahman (cl, per)
Eric Dixon (ts)
Calo Scott (cello)
Ahmed Abdul-Malik (b)
Andrew Cyrille (d)
On African Bossa Nova & Communication:
Richard Williams (tp)
Rupert Alleyne (fl)
Bilal Abdurrahman (cl, darubeka)
Edwin Steede (as)
Taft Chandler (ts)
Calo Scott (cello, vln)
Ahmed Abdul-Malik (b, oud)
Rudy Collins (d)
Chief Bay (African d)
Montego Joe (cga, bgo)