Even though he is already in his seventies, legendary Ahmad Jamal continues with the same level of enthusiasm in 2017 with his dedication to the southern French port Marseille. He loves it so much, he dedicated the album title to it. In primary focus of his album are three versions of homage to Marseille.
The first version, the one that opens the album, is an instrumental one with vamp elements, allowing the story to slowly unravel with discreet rhythm section of Herlin Riley and atmospheric layering of Manolo Badrena's percussions.
The second version sees the guest appearance buy French rapper Abd Al Malik, while the third one is wrapped up by cabaret performance of vocal interpreter Mina Agossi. That Jamal is still a force who likes to pay tribute to the legends show compositions that resemble Miles Davis. I am particularly referring to Baalbeck with the motive of Miles' Jean Pierre. There are also some Eighty-One sounds in funky version of Autumn Leaves.
Yet, the final impression is not left on impressive performance and intriguing atmosphere, rather it stands on a fact that we are listening to legend who is in his seventies, showing that jazz is vital energy for him.
