Water From An Ancient Well

On one of my first visit to Cape Town I was having a drink with  a black man who was a local. He pointed at a person with brown skin across the room and, said ¨the coloured guy over there is a good friend.¨ He was incredulous when I told him that in my country the term ¨coloured¨ was a derogatory term for a black man. He informed me that  under the Apartheid regime,  people were segregated into Blacks, Whites (mainly Afrikaans) and Coloureds (which were everyone else). Those terms are still used to describe people but are not considered racist and the severe ramifications of being in one group or the other are no longer proscribed by the government. Abdullah Ibrahim would have been a coloured person.  The Wiki notes for this one are quite limited. As one can tell from the names of some of the songs, there is a political side to this. The song Mandela is an obvious one given he was sitting in Robben Island at the time this was released. Mannenberg Revisited  was a well known and highly political song. I read that a copy of the record was snuck onto Robben Island and when Nelson Mandela heard it he remarked that ¨liberation is near¨.  Mannenberg is about the forced removal of those defined as coloured people from a downtown neighbourhood to the suburbs of Cape Town. What boggles the mind is that these songs effectively conveyed the message of protest and uprising  without lyrics.  Song for Sathima is about his wife Sathima Bea Benjamin  If you're interested, Spotify has a wonderful EP called African Songbird with three  of her tunes including Africa which is an avant garde jazz sung with love for her  Africa.

Gorgeous, sensitive, buttery smooth jazz. Wonderful. Like sinking into a warm, comfy mattress.

The score to a looney tunes cartoon when nothing is happening.

Awfully good and easy-swinging. Highly polished in composition and tone and execution. There’s real elegance in the straightforwardness and simplicity of the playing and a richness and warmth from the large format. Just strong all the way around. Solid 4.

Is this good jazz? Is this bad jazz? All I feel qualified to say is that this is definitely jazz.

The music that plays when you get kicked out of a cantina.

Great album - caught me by surprise. Has a timeless quality, many of the tracks harken back to roots in the 50s or 60s. Definitely a keeper!

Simply delightful! The music just ebbs and flows like a river. Saved to my playlist

The cover of this record lead me to believe it was going to be a little more ambient or ethereal than it was, but that’s not a bad thing. This is an interesting, more traditional jazz record which was a nice surprise.

In one ear and out the other.

Having just listened to Time out by the Dave Brubeck quartet i felt that the 30 years that separated the two albums hadn’t been kind to Jazz. It didn’t flow well for me, the transition from one track to another was too harsh at times. The tracks I enjoyed Mandela - quite punchy and upbeat, it’s gets the album off to a good start. Manenberg revisited- starts slow and builds up, whilst it’s quite repetitive it allows you to follow the beat and relax into it. Tuang guru - reminded me of the backing music to a 1950’s black and white cop film The ones I didn’t Sameeda- too “all over the place” with its beat, just couldn’t relax with it. There’s a couple of tracks I would listen to again, but not the whole album

Ik word zenuwachtig van muziek met een bassist die steeds 'onderweg is'. Loopt over de hele hals van zijn bas, als een hondje die maar niet kan beslissen waar ie gaat poepen.

Some lovely Jazz! Going into my library.

Nice smooth swinging jazz. My type to listen too.

Wasn’t really in the mood for it but solid

I love Abdullah Ibrahim.

7/5 awesome album..had been listening to Charlie Parker and John Coltrane, then this came along …wonderful…even found Ricky Ford my new favorite saxophonist….saxophone has always gotten into my soul deeply…

I did not know what to expect from this album. I’m a huge jazz fan but Ibrahim is not someone whose music I’m familiar with. He’s a pianist, but this is very much an ensemble effort. And it covers so much ground. It opens with Mandela, which really swings, and it never sits still. There are steamy, edgy tunes that reek if New York (Song For Sathima, Tuang Gura). Long, slow pieces (the title track & The Mountain). The Wedding is a beautiful tune in march time. I thought Mannenberg Revisited sounded very 60’s. Turns out it is a re-interpretation of a song he originally recorded in the early 70’s. A song which is often remembered as an unofficial national anthem. And the album ends a bit like it started, with the band really stretching out, on Sameeda. A terrific record.

Although it was a little behind the times for the year this was released, it's an excellent assortment of original cool-jazz compositions. Ibrahim's piano is surprisingly sparse on here, but he sounds like a composed and stern father, who speaks up only when needed, and only as much as needed, to keep his somewhat wild, ambitious (and incredibly talented) children (the other musicians) in line. Speaking of the other musicians, dig the crazy bass on Manenberg Revisited, the unusual drum rhythms on Tuang Guru, the silky smooth saxophones on the title track and Song for Sathima, the wistful trombone on Sameeda, the self-assured flute on The Mountain. Only 2 slight critiques, the recording isn't as crisp as I'd like, and sounds more 50's than 80's, and the way all the songs finish with the same flourish is anticlimatic. OverallI, I'm really glad to have heard this and will be listening to more Abdullah Ibrahim in the future.

Started good, then solemn, then next track sounds like the menu music or first level music from a child's video game 😂 kinda decent though, enjoyable at least.

Dis ca zo, el pimer disco en su toatlidad instrumental que me voló la cabeza, es tan ilustrativo y tan expresivo que lo volví a reescuchar mientras escribo esto, un completo ejemplo de lo que hacer en un disco sonoro. Cuadno destacar, las variaciones, repeticiones, los vientes, que bien los vientos, no se, no se que más decir las palabras nunca son justas enfrente a esta pintura musical 10/10.

Ahhh que bonito es lo vi ito

Loved it!

I don't know how to describe what I just listened to - this is one of the most easygoing listening experiences I've ever had. I regret having not heard of Abdullah Ibrahim before (nor many of the other various players here) - but he's a leading figure in the 'Cape Jazz' subgenre that's rooted in South Africa. While it doesn't deviate too far from your typical 'Cool Jazz' formula, it almost takes a maximal approach to that subgenre ... in a minimal way that is. The song 'Manenberg Revisited' for example may be the most spacey here, but the light horns, piano, and especially that bassline allow for that voided space to thrive effortlessly, making "the space" its own instrument. It all feels like some sort of stroll, never pushing too far ahead too fast as it soaks in its own beaming atmosphere. It exercises its rudimentary ideas to the max before moving on to new ones; it reminds me a lot of ambient music in that sense. A lot of elements here reminded me of spiritual jazz as well, especially the shorter 'The Mountain'. This album maximizes minimalism, traditionalism, and clarity without ever coming off as dull or boring. It all feels like you're staring out into the sunset on the beach while it soundtracks the closing credits to a day filled with excursions and peace (especially with the title track). Some damn good jazz. And so so chill and soulful. Really loved this one.

I had no idea what to expect from this and wow I love it. Listened to it 3 times and it grew on me each listen, which is the mark of a keeper. For that reason it’s getting a surprise 5

Want

Absolute banger

Real groovy, made me happy

Beautiful jazz album. On repeat. 5/5

This is the kind of album I get excited about- it comes from a part of the world of which I am wholly unexposed, it is awesome, and also it reminded how much I like jazz. I wish we got more worldwide exposure on this list. I (probably) like the standard rock that makes it onto this list as much as the next guy, but I think this project is at its best when it is expanding horizons and forging bridges.

I’ve recently made my fondness for trombones known on this site. The trombone is featured throughout this album, giving it an edge in my ratings. This album is an excellent step in further acclimatizing me to jazz. I enjoyed it a lot.

Something for everyone.

Enjoyed this album a lot. Players are all amazing, so much to hear and discover. Will definitely listen to a few more times at least

Smooth but unpredictable in the nice ways that make my brain smile. Made me happy and didn't outstay its welcome. Also the history of his music is cool.

5/5

A beautiful mellow set, perfect for a relaxing evening. Challenging in scope, but soft on the soul.

"Water from an Ancient Well" is a jazz album by South African pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim. Ibrahim moved to New York in 1960 and lived in exile until the early 1990's. In that time, he recorded this album at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. The album was produced by Sathima Bea Benjamin and besides Ibrahim also included Carlos Ward (alto flute), Ricky Ford (tenor sax), Charles Davis (baritone sax), David Williams (bass), Ben Riley (drums) and Dick Griffin (trombone). Ibrahim was a leading figure in the subgenre of Cape jazz. Piano and the horns open "Mandela." This has a fast pace and reminds me of jazz from the 1940's. Separate sax and trombone solos and then they join together. That is a pattern in this album. "Song for Sathima" slows things down with the piano and horns. A New Orleans vibe. An array of sax solos. This is very romantic and perfectly fits the title. "Mannesburg Revisited (Capetown Fringe)" has piano and drums with a machine-like beat. Very nice play between the piano and horns. A dramatic ending. "Water from an Ancient Well" starts with a slow piano melody. The drums and horns come in in unison. Sax and trombone solos all around with the baritone sax knocking it out of the park. And, a bass solo. Yes! The band just jams at the end. Epic at 11 minutes! "The Wedding" is slow and romantic with the tenor sax in lead. This reminded me of a slow dance. The song builds with the piano and drums. And, no they did forget the flautist. "The Mountain" has the alto flute in the lead. This made my day. This is soothing and just a great listen. The multiple horns take turn in the lead both within and between songs. The piano, bass and drums laying the foundation. The music just amazingly fits the song titles. I need to listen to more of Abdullan Ibrahim. Actually, I did after listening to this a few times. I was not disappointed. A recommendation for everyone.

Excellent instrumental. Jazzy and Bluesy. Very cool music.

Absolutely beautiful. Soft buttery jazz that one simply melts into. Really recommend this album. 👌

Jazzy!! good so far! 5 star - maybe not specifically this album although its not bad but all the low key jazz piano music that comes after listening to this is (chefskiss)

This is pretty much dead center for me. Right on the cusp of all this brilliant, American folk, Copeland-esque harmony of the plains, very new school, Keith Jarrett, but also mournful, spiritual-feeling, even in the way the horns are played. But… just the tip! Tiny bit of that, and stone cold horn standout solos here, too. I love it. I love it! Is it just me, or do the horn player all sound like they’re really buds in real life, pal-ing around, trading lines? It’s so loose and fun! 1001, I love you, but you have been a slog recently. Sometimes the generator just wants you to have REM album after REM album. With a nice after-dinner serving of Costello. No, but this! This is some genuinely good shit! 5/5

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Great listening.

Chill music makes for a nice commute. I'll look into more of his music & compositions.

Amazing jazz record that I would have never heard of if not for this list.

Absolutely goated Jazz album. Feel like I need to play this on a record player, kick my feet up, and drink tea.

Fantastic. "Song for Sathima" is so sad and beautiful. And the melody kept surprising me with where it went. The players interact with and contrast each other in interesting, surprising way. Like the bassist who sounds like he's playing these little fragments of scales almost removed from what everyone else is playing. But it fits into the larger picture. The bass is awesome throughout -- it sounds almost funky on "Mannenberg Revisited." I like that the bass is upfront in the mix. Sometimes it can be hard to hear the bass solo in jazz but not here. There's a lot of creative, inspired playing throughout the album. The solos feel untamed. I was surprised to learn that the band leader is the pianist because that's the instrument I noticed the least on a first listen. I'm looking forward to playing to this album more and listening for him.

Very nice

A beautiful album, a real surprise for me. Recorded in 1986, this is classic jazz and sounds like it could have been recorded 20 years sooner. Great playing by everyone involved and fantastic melodies.

Really glad this came up. Definitely gonna listen again!

Beautiful melancholic jazz. There are a few swingin' songs on here but most are subdued.

A really great album! I hadn't realized that I had heard some of these standards before. Ibrahim is a fantastic pianist. 5/5!

The fuck!! This is a gem

Love this album and love Jazz in general.

Absolutely beautiful! Ended up listening to it three times and it's been added to my bedtime I'm going to sleep now playlist

Smooth jazz. Great for background music. Love it!

I've often grumbled against the glaring omissions in the jazz selections of this list, but with this particular album, I'm forced to admit that Dimery and co. simply dug gold. I'm not a jazz specialist, just an open-minded amateur, so I didn't know who Abdullah Ibrahim/Dollar Brand was at all. Therefore, I've listened to this record with absolutely zero expectations, and I must say I'm totally enthralled by it now. It started off in quite a subdued way, though. At first, "Mandela" sounded a little too big band-like, almost too quaint to my ears, in spite of the obviously important theme suggested by its name, especially coming from a South African musician. But then each track that followed grasped my attention in a different way, from the gentleness of "Song For Sathima" and the driven focus of "Marenberg Revisited" (a variation on an important musical milestone written by Ibrahim more than a decade earlier--and a significant instrumental statement against Apartheid), and this continuing up to the arabic flavors of "Tuang Guru" and the heartwrenching finale of the short ballad "The Wedding". Closer "Sameena" was also a huge surprise in the way its minimalistic, nearly atonal introduction on brass and winds steadily grew into a meditative piece that ensnared my ear up until the very last Just like for pianist Ibrahim, I didn't know the other performers on this record either, but they're all doing an excellent job conveying the myriad emotions and colors gathered in this tight, tight package. *Water From An Ancient Well*'s scope is so impressive, and its tracklisting is so dynamic--so varied yet so cohesive too--that it instantly got a 5-star mark from me. This sort of thing doesn't often happen, so you can be sure I'll return to that proverbial well from time to time... Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 877 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 67 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 30 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 27

I don’t know a lot about jazz, but this album made me want to take the world by its hand and lively dance around a very small room with it, then hold it close and just let time move around me in slow, infinite circles.

Gorgeous jazz piece

Yep, this one is great. Only part that jammed me up is that Apple Music didn’t have it available for the US. So listened in YouTube and got interrupted with ads

These songs are works of art. They go deep. They often have unconventional, exploratory structures but always feel pure of intention. From the heart and the head, but much more towards the heart. The sax playing is very melodic and soulful. Beautiful stuff

amazing

beautiful

Ancient Well scratched an itch I didn't know I had. Surprising and delightful. Not at all what I was expecting, but exactly what I needed.

Too sophisticated for me but great elevator music

Really good! I’d be happy to throw this on anytime.

I didn’t know peace until I heard this album.

I really like this. Makes me feel cheerful. Also having no lyrics makes it so good to listening when focus is needed. Loved it!

Everything about this was great. The timing of where it came up for our group also could've helped. We needed something mellow.

Soft and lovely

chill jazz for background

One of my favourite Abdullah Ibrahim albums, there's some beautiful music on this - and ska!

Well this was quite pleasant! Very soothing. I enjoyed it. Very lyrical music which I enjoyed.

I've been a huge fan of the Abdullah Ibrahim Trio for years, so this is right up my alley. Love the sad, sassy trombone on the title track.

(April 16 2023) will chase it down later, “not available for streaming in Canada” (May 5 2023) I mean it was all on YouTube, I was just lazy Some kickass trombone here, was trombonist in high school and hearing a good trombone solo out of the blue is like drinking water and then realizing how thirsty you were It's a pretty gentle, tender record for the most part, you gotta be in the mood for it and I lucked out today HLs: "Song for Sathima", "Tuang Guru", title track, "The Wedding"

They found a way to make jazz sound 80s! 7/10

Þessi er ljómandi, renndi henni tvisvar og gæti hlustað oft aftur. Ekkert lag sem stendur mest upp úr, alveg solid stöff.

Enjoyably jazzy

wTF i LIKE JAZZ NOW?

Super Sound from the coolest of African Jazz Cats! Love it

Nice instrumentation. Mostly quiet and very pretty.

It's weird, the title track on the album was NOT on Spotify. Had to go onto YouTube to hear it. It's interesting, the music reminded me a bit of Vince Guaraldi. Perhaps that's why I enjoyed it so much. The other instruments really added something to it as well. I don't want to call it "classic" jazz, but it was a straight up jazz album. But definitely more of what you expect in a jazz album. I did enjoy this very much.

Nice change of pace from the first two listens this week. Easy jazz, and would definitely listen again. 4 stars.

What a smooth groove. On the back of the Nightmares On Wax album this is smooth and gentle. Hard to pick a fave as this album just flows so nicely.

wowowowww. 7 artists!! “Song for Sathima” was genuinely so relaxing and romantic. nice groovy bass :D

8/10. Good album, some really beautiful moments.

Nice and straightforward jazz. I am not sure there was much that was noteworthy, but it was pleasant enough to listen to. I guess I was expecting more piano from the info about Abdullah Ibrahim, though.

Very nice! Great sound, great recording. A few songs got a little into the scales a bit much for my taste but still pretty awesome. Very approachable jazz record.

From the artist name, album title and artwork I was expecting world music, but ok, it's cool jazz! Nice! The Abdullah Ibrahim wikipedia page is worth browse - this is a whole wing of jazz I was oblivious to. Fave track - "Tuang Guru" sounds almost like Ethiojazz, I dig it.

A very dreamy, relaxed and enjoyable Sunday treat for your soul. 3.9

Having never heard of this album or Abdullah, I was happy to see a Jazz album pop up on the list AND enjoy it. Water from an ancient well has elements of John Coltrane and it just hits. Its hard to believe that an album from 1986 can sound like it was recorded at the Blue Note in 1959. 4/5

I really liked it especially Mandela. Would listen again and have some songs added to my liked songs now :) 4.3/5

This is a great jazz album that is very influenced by the Big Band Tradition. Though this album isn’t covering any new territory, it is incredibly well executed and features some excellent mastery of instrumentation. The tone and timbre that the musicians are able to achieve is full of emotion and control.

Loved! I really enjoy jazz music and this album was no exception.

Outstanding album. Superb compositions played and performed extraordinarily well.

Started off thinking it's jazz but ended up really enjoying it. I think that may have been because of the sun penetrating through the morning mist, the families traversing the Clapham plains with their dogs, the smell of coffee wafting through the breeze. I have been enlightened to a new world, and Abdullah Ibrahim, you have been my light. Songs are alright too. 3.5

It was alright. I love the jazziness! I wish this album was more valued!

Kaunista ja kuulasta jazzia. Erityisesti avausbiisi ja nimikkokappale (joka puuttu Spotifysta, prkl) oli hyviä. 4/5

One of the most soothing works from jazz on the list. I was captivated entirely.

A unique slice of jazz. I could actually hear how this influenced DMB during one of the songs.

This wasn’t available on Apple Music in the USA, but I found it on YouTube (minus one song which wasn’t available). This was good, I liked this. Being forced to listen to jazz has made me appreciate it more. Overall, this was a really pleasant, serene album.