Ambiance

• 2X LP GATEFOLD sleeve

• 45 RPM REISSUE

A really beautiful record from the Ambiance ensemble – a group led by reedman Daoud Abubakar Balewa – a musician with the same underground prominence as Plunky Nakabinde and Idris Ackamoor during the same generation! Like both of those artists, Daoud has a way of moving effortlessly between spiritual jazz and more soul-based styles – heard here on one of his standout records from the early 80s, which blends his own work on a variety of saxes with nicely flowing accompaniment on piano, percussion, guitars, and a slight touch of Fender Rhodes – mostly instrumental, but with a few vocal moments from time to time! The vibe is late spiritual jazz – not as tightly tied to Coltrane-based modes, and nicely finding its own space in the universe – on titles that include "Eastwind", "Something Better", "Into A New Journey", and "The Arrival" – plus versions of "Black Narcissus", "500 Miles", and "Windows"

PERSONNEL:

• Daoud Abubakar Balewa - tenor & alto sax, flute, percussion, vocals
• Monife - vocals
• Jim Lum - electric & acoustic guitar
• Randy Landis - bass
• Atiji Malomon - percussion, vocals
• June Kuramoto - koto
• Danny Yamamoto - drums
• Rick Smith - african drums
• "Kimo" Cornwell - acoustic keyboards
• Danny Newmark - Fender Rhodes

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. The Arrival
• A2. The Black Narcissus

• SIDE B
• B1. Something Better
• B2. Into A New Journey (Onon Tuntun)

• SIDE C
• C1. The Eastwind
• C2. 500 Miles High

• SIDE D
• D1. Windows