Pat Thomas and his quartet, أحمد [Ahmed], have created an album that embodies their musical devotion to a bygone era of jazz pioneers. At their 2022 Glasgow concert, where they paid homage to Ahmed Abdul-Malik's legacy, the group's energy was palpable, captivating an ecstatic crowd to dance the night away.
Thomas is not surprised by this reaction; he has been drawing inspiration from a diverse range of artists since أحمد [Ahmed]'s inception. The group's eclectic sound combines abstract improv with global influences such as Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, dub, jungle, and electronics. Saxophonist Seymour Wright has absorbed the sax vocabulary of Evan Parker, while drummer Antonin Gerbal brings infectious power to the group.
The Arabic term sama'a translates to meditative listening, reflecting Thomas's Sufi perspective. The new album manifests this spirit through four tracks: Ya Annas (Oh, People), which joins ghostly split-note sax sounds with bowed-bass figures; Isma'a (Listen), a drum'n'bass hook that evolves into urgent free-sax improv against splashy piano chords; El Haris (Anxious), where brittle horn exhalations and harmonies resolve into a gripping robotic strut; and Farah 'Alaiyna (Joy Upon Us), beginning as delightfully dissonant folk-dance before becoming rocketing jazz swing.
The group's upcoming Monk tribute, scheduled for 2026, looks riveting based on this album. In the meantime, Ahmed [Ahmed] offers a thrilling journey through global musical influences, showcasing Thomas's mastery of eclectic and free-jazz sounds.
Additionally, this month sees the release of Memories of Home by guitarist John Scofield and bassist Dave Holland, their first duo album, sharing boppishly hip, country-bluesy originals. Flautist/saxophonist Anna Webber's powerful big band co-led with saxophonist Angela Morris releases Unseparate (Out of Your Head), while UK composer Mike Westbrook reissues The Cortège Live at the BBC 1980, a celebration of landmark European literature and cutting-edge jazz from his epic 1980 session.
Thomas is not surprised by this reaction; he has been drawing inspiration from a diverse range of artists since أحمد [Ahmed]'s inception. The group's eclectic sound combines abstract improv with global influences such as Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, dub, jungle, and electronics. Saxophonist Seymour Wright has absorbed the sax vocabulary of Evan Parker, while drummer Antonin Gerbal brings infectious power to the group.
The Arabic term sama'a translates to meditative listening, reflecting Thomas's Sufi perspective. The new album manifests this spirit through four tracks: Ya Annas (Oh, People), which joins ghostly split-note sax sounds with bowed-bass figures; Isma'a (Listen), a drum'n'bass hook that evolves into urgent free-sax improv against splashy piano chords; El Haris (Anxious), where brittle horn exhalations and harmonies resolve into a gripping robotic strut; and Farah 'Alaiyna (Joy Upon Us), beginning as delightfully dissonant folk-dance before becoming rocketing jazz swing.
The group's upcoming Monk tribute, scheduled for 2026, looks riveting based on this album. In the meantime, Ahmed [Ahmed] offers a thrilling journey through global musical influences, showcasing Thomas's mastery of eclectic and free-jazz sounds.
Additionally, this month sees the release of Memories of Home by guitarist John Scofield and bassist Dave Holland, their first duo album, sharing boppishly hip, country-bluesy originals. Flautist/saxophonist Anna Webber's powerful big band co-led with saxophonist Angela Morris releases Unseparate (Out of Your Head), while UK composer Mike Westbrook reissues The Cortège Live at the BBC 1980, a celebration of landmark European literature and cutting-edge jazz from his epic 1980 session.
it's like they took all these old-school jazz cats like Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk, threw 'em in a blender, and hit puree... got some sick sax riffs and drum beats that just make you wanna get up and dance the night away 
meanwhile I'm over here listening to John Scofield & Dave Holland's new album and it's like they're speaking my language 
unseparate by Anna Webber is straight fire too 
The way Pat Thomas blends jazz, dub, jungle, and electronics is so cool. I especially love the track "Farah 'Alaiyna" - it starts out all disjointed but then just takes off into this crazy beautiful swing 
And have you listened to John Scofield's new album with Dave Holland? It's like a warm hug on a rainy day 
The whole jazz scene is just so vibrant and exciting right now. I'm excited to see what Ahmed has in store for us next!
, it's like meditative listening, you know? 
. Flautist/saxophonist Anna Webber's big band jam on Unseparate is straight fire 
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. Can't wait for more! 
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! And have you heard about the other releases this month? John Scofield and Dave Holland's duo album is straight fire 
. Mike Westbrook reissuing The Cortège Live at the BBC 1980 is also a total treat – it's like a time capsule of jazz history 
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anyway thats not the only bad news out there new study says climate change is melting glaciers at record rate 
and scientists warn we might run out of coral reefs in next 20 yrs 
. love how they've managed to blend different styles, from dub to electronics, and saxophonist Seymour Wright's got some insane skills on the sax 
. i'm hyped for their monk tribute in 2026, can't wait to see how they take on that legend 
The way they blend abstract improv with global influences is pure genius. And that Sufi perspective really shines through in the music - it's like you can feel the meditative listening vibes 
! Their blend of abstract improv, dub, jungle, and electronics is straight fire