Water From an Ancient Well

by Abdullah Ibrahim

Water From an Ancient Well cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 1986
  • Label: BlackHawk
  • Country: South Africa
  • Length: 38:10
  • Community rating: 4.06/5 from 7 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

One of Abdullah Ibrahim's most celebrated albums, 'Water From an Ancient Well' is a masterpiece of modern 'Cape Jazz.' The album features a set of beautiful and evocative compositions that draw on the folk melodies, church hymns, and dance rhythms of his native South Africa. The arrangements for the septet are lush and soulful, creating a sound that is both deeply traditional and thoroughly modern.

Genres

Descriptors: traditional, piano, spirituality, melodic, classic

Tracklist

  1. Mandela (4:59)
  2. Song for Sathima (3:26)
  3. Mannenberg (Revisited) (6:13)
  4. Tuang Guru (6:15)
  5. Water from an Ancient Well (5:42)
  6. The Wedding (4:52)

Credits

  • Abdullah Ibrahim - primary artist, piano, composed by
  • Carlos Ward - alto saxophone, flute
  • Zand Gee - art direction
  • Charles Davis - baritone saxophone
  • David Williams - bass
  • Ben Riley - drums
  • Rudy Van Gelder - engineer
  • Gavin Jantjes Liner - illustration
  • Herb Wong - liner notes
  • George Horn - mastered by
  • Veryl Oakland - photography by [liner]
  • Sathima Bea Benjamin - producer
  • Ricky Ford - tenor saxophone
  • Dick Griffin - trombone

More from Abdullah Ibrahim: full discography