Alison's Awakening

Hailing from the Black Country of England, the birthplace of Heavy Metal itself, DARK FOREST have unleashed their new album “The Awakening”, with a refined and epic sound…

According to Greek mythology, the Phoenix dies in a fire only to be reborn from the ashes. Many cultures have their own interpretation of this tale that symbolizes resurrection and renewal. This legend of antiquity also has relevance here in 2019. Another Phoenix, the city located in the arid landscapes of Arizona, contains a rebirth of a different sort. Thrash metal veterans Sacred Reich have reemerged in this time of turmoil and uncertainty. Awakening, their first release in over two decades isn’t just a band making a return…

The music on this CD has been reissued many times, most recently in 1997. By 1970, pianist Ahmad Jamal's style had changed a bit since the 1950s, becoming denser and more adventurous while still retaining his musical identity. With bassist Jamil Nasser (whose doubletiming lines are sometimes furious) and drummer Frank Gant, Jamal performs two originals (playing over a vamp on "Patterns"), the obscure "I Love Music" and four jazz standards. Intriguing performances showing that Ahmad Jamal was continuing to evolve.

The composer/saxophonist Gabriele Coen is a household name on the Italian jazz scene. He is the founder of the noted ensemble Klezroym and has recorded two masterful CDs of Jewish music for Italian labels. For his first Tzadik release he broadens both the scope of his music and his ensemble to create his most exciting and ambitious presentation to date. Full of energy, lyricism and improvisational excitement, Awakening is one of the strongest Jewish jazz CDs we have ever released, and a wonderful new addition to Radical Jewish Culture, now in its eighteenth year and going strong thanks to creative and passionate musicians like Gabriele Coen.