The more familiar one is with the later work of pianist/composer
Abdullah Ibrahim, the more interesting they will find this CD reissue. A solo piano set from 1965 (except for a 1968 version of "Honeysuckle Rose"),
Ibrahim's roots in
Duke Ellington and
Thelonious Monk are more apparent in this music than it would be. Still known as
Dollar Brand at the time, the pianist's interpretations are often stark (with much use of space), dramatic, dissonant and occasionally out-of-tempo and bitonal. These largely introspective performances do not contain the joyful folk melodies of
Ibrahim's later work but they offer a fascinating early look into the music of the important stylist. ~ Scott Yanow