Ahmed Abdul-Malik, East Meets West: Musique Of Ahmed Abdul-Malik

Description

“East Meets West” is the second album by American double bassist Ahmed Abdul-Malik, recorded in 1959 and released on RCA Victor in 1960. The album, subtitled “Musique of Ahmed Abdul-Malik,” showcases Abdul-Malik’s unique fusion of jazz and Middle Eastern music, reflecting his Sudanese heritage and his experience as a prominent jazz bassist.

The album features a diverse ensemble of musicians, with the lineup varying across the eight original compositions by Abdul-Malik. Jazz luminaries such as Lee Morgan, Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson, and Johnny Griffin are featured alongside musicians playing traditional Middle Eastern instruments like the oud, kanoon, and violin. This blend of instrumentation allows Abdul-Malik to create a distinctive sound that bridges Western jazz and Arabic musical traditions.

Abdul-Malik himself demonstrates his versatility on the album, playing both double bass and oud. The oud, a pear-shaped stringed instrument similar to a lute, was introduced to jazz by Abdul-Malik, making him a pioneer in incorporating this traditional Middle Eastern instrument into the jazz context. Tracks like “La Ibky (Don’t Cry)” showcase this fusion, with Abdul-Malik’s oud playing alongside jazz instruments like saxophone and trumpet.

While “East Meets West” may not appeal to all listeners due to its unconventional blend of styles, it is generally regarded as an enjoyable and innovative album. The musicians’ enthusiasm is evident in the recordings, and the album stands as a significant example of early world music fusion. Despite its historical importance, the album has been out of print for many years, making it a rare and sought-after recording for collectors and enthusiasts of cross-cultural jazz experiments.

Metadata:

RCA Victor – LSP-2015
Serie: Living Stereo
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, Indianapolis Press
Land: US
Released: 1960
Genre: Jazz, Folk, World, & Country
Stil: Fusion, African, Hard Bop

Tracklisting:
Side A
1. El-Lail (The Night) – 4:17
2. La Ibky (Don’t Cry) – 4:55
3. Takseem (Solo) – 5:08
4. Searchin’ – 4:02

Side B
1. Isma’a (Listen) – 4:15
2. Rooh (The Soul) – 3:37
3. Mahawara (The Fugue) – 4:12
4. El Ghada (The Jungle) – 3:06

Credits
Bass, Oud, Written-By – Ahmed Abdul-Malik
Drums – Al Harewood
Flute – Jerome Richardson
Goblet Drum [Darabeka] – Bilal Abdurahman, Mike Hamway
Musical Box [Kanoon] – Ahmed Yetman
Saxophone – Benny Golson, Johnny Griffin
Trombone – Curtis Fuller
Trumpet – Lee Morgan
Violin – Naim Karacand

Engineer – Bernard Keville, Ray Hall
Producer – Lee Schapiro
Recorded in Webster Hall, New York City.