Is The Awakening a good place to start with Ahmad Jamal?

Yes, The Awakening is recommended as a starting point for new Ahmad Jamal listeners. A vibrant blend of modal jazz and intricate rhythms, infused with soulful melodies and improvisational flair. Released in 1970, The Awakening marked Ahmad Jamal's return to the recording scene after a brief hiatus. This album followed his critically acclaimed 1958 release, At the Pershing: But Not for Me, positioning him as a key figure in the evolution of jazz during a transformative period.

Who is The Awakening for?

The Awakening works well if you're into steady melodic exploration, immersive listening experience and reflective afternoon ambiance.

How many songs are on The Awakening?

The Awakening has 7 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

The Awakening

Ahmad Jamal · 1970

40 min · 7 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of modal jazz and intricate rhythms, infused with soulful melodies and improvisational flair.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Awakening Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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I Love Music — This track showcases Jamal's signature interplay between rhythm and melody, featuring lush piano lines that invite listeners into a joyful exploration of sound.
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Dolphin Dance — A mesmerizing piece that highlights Jamal's ability to blend complex harmonies with evocative themes, creating an immersive musical experience.
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Stolen Moments — This track stands out for its hauntingly beautiful composition, illustrating Jamal's mastery in crafting poignant musical narratives that linger long after listening.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

70 /100

Alpine

Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

The album features intricate compositions and strong improvisational elements, marking it as a distinctive work in Jamal's discography.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a slow build, gradually layering instruments to create a rich texture.
Each track showcases extended improvisation sections, allowing the musicians to explore themes rather than sticking to rigid structures.
The final track, 'Wave', concludes with a gentle fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of calm.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady melodic exploration
immersive listening experience
reflective afternoon ambiance
soulful improvisational depth

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced tracks
seek immediate gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Marked Jamal's return and solidified his influence in the jazz genre.
Themes: soulful melodies· post-bop evolution· jazz improvisation
Career context: Released in 1970, The Awakening marked Ahmad Jamal's return to the recording scene after a brief hiatus. This album followed his critically acclaimed 1958 release, At the Pershing: But Not for Me, positioning him as a key figure in the evolution of jazz during a transformative period.
Stylistic neighbors: Bill Evans· Cecil Taylor· Oscar Peterson