Abdullah Ibrahim sings and plays soprano on “Ishmael” but otherwise sticks to piano on this trio set with bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Roy Brooks. As usual Ibrahim’s folkish melodies (this CD has six of his originals plus a previously alternate take of “Ishmael”) pay tribute to his South African heritage and Islam religion without becoming esoteric or inaccessible. Some of the unpredictable music gets a bit intense (Ibrahim is in consistently adventurous form) but his flights always return back to earth and have an air of optimism. An above average effort from a true individualist.
