Comments for Ahmad Alaadeen, Time Through The Ages

REVIEWS AND COMMENTS --- ALL MUSIC GUIDE ..Alaadeen deserves to be much better known. The second CD by saxophonist Ahmad Alaadeen features the versatile soloist mostly in a quintet with trumpeter Danny Campbell and a variety of rhythm sections. The Kansas City-based tenor and soprano saxophonist has a warm tone and a lyrical style. He performs four of his originals, one song by pianist Reggie Thomas, and Duke Pearson's driving "Jeannine" with his group. A special highlight is a melodic unaccompanied tenor solo version of "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning." Alaadeen deserves to be much better known. Review by: Scott Yanow --- JAZZ TIMES Ahmad Alaadeen cuts a masterful swath... One of those Midwest gems who stardom eludes because of geographics, Kansas City scene veteran saxophonist-composer-arranger Ahmad Alaadeen cuts a masterful swath through seven straight-ahead tunes of his second album. Neither overpowering nor understating his tenor and soprano saxisms, he shows swinging sensitivity, fresh and fluid articulation, and skillful arranging for settings from duet to sextet. Alaadeen is a distinctive mood-painter who uses a chromatic palette to enhance to his explorations. Review by: Nancy Ann Lee --- ALL ABOUT JAZZ ... interesting aspects from start to finish. Duke Pearson’s “Jeannine” is presented as a sextet arrangement with both trumpet and flugelhorn playing counterpoint to Alaadeen’s tenor lines. The familiar tune is performed with quirky dissonant harmonies and unusual brawny soloing. The combination of straight-ahead mainstream material and off-center methods applies to the session in general. Over half the pieces are Alaadeen’s compositions, which reflect a broad range of jazz’s history. Musical nods to Count Basie, Miles Davis, and even Lester Bowie fill the session with interesting aspects from start to finish. “When Love Has” is a ballad feature for soprano sax, while “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning” is reserved for solo tenor saxophone. Alaadeen seems quite comfortable with both instruments, but his tenor work is considerably more robust and free blowing. Review by: Jim Santella --- KANSAS CITY JAZZ AMBASSADORS MAGAZINE This is jazz in its most authentic form... Time Through The Ages itself is much more subdued than what was heard at the Foundation, but just as engaging. This is jazz in its most authentic form: conversational and visceral. And it's all been captured to maximum effect. If there's one word that keeps coming to mind when listening to Time Through The Ages, it's "honest." No punches or overdubs here. Only musical statements of pure spontaneity. One of the album's highlights, "ASR," was born of religious inspiration. "I was inspired to write 'ASR' after reading the 103rd Sura of the Quaran," says Alaadeen. "The opening of the piece describes the Garden of Eden in which Adam and Eve wake up bewildered as to where they are. They slowly begin to discover the wonders of creation." Review by: Mike Metheny