Ahmad Jamal's journey into musical immortality began over 60 years ago with his version of the jazz standard ‘Poinciana’, featured on his bestselling live trio album Live at the Pershing: But Not For Me (1958). On his latest recording, Jamal returns to that signature tune and provides a lyrical, impressionistic rereading, stripped of Vernell Fournier's memorable original drum accompaniment and Israel Crosby's bass. Regular double-bassist James Cammack does make an appearance on a handful of tracks, including ‘So Rare’, with its sparkling interchanges, but for the most part Ballades captures Jamal in a solo setting. The freshness remains intact as he approaches his 10th decade: three originals (‘Marseille’, ‘Because I Love You’, ‘Whisperings’) mingle and blend seamlessly with a series of covers. There are hints of the conservatoire – the press release namechecks Brahms, Liszt and Chopin – but the playing effervesces with invention and wit on the likes of ‘Land of Dreams’.