Revealed in 2015 thanks to the monumental album The EpicKamasi Washington is unanimously recognized as one of the most imposing jazzmen of his generation.
His XXL works offer an impressive synthesis of African-American music from the last 60 years, where groove, free, funk, gospel, R’n’B, the spirituality of Pharoah Sanders, the the cosmic energy of Sun Râ, the fusions of Miles Davis, lush string arrangements and texts with a mystical or political flavor.
With Fearless Movement, his first studio album in six years, the Los Angeles saxophonist continues his irresistible momentum. There we find the extreme musical abundance that has now made its mark, this time with an additional dose of hip-hop (Asha the First), a hint of Ethiopian jazz (Lesanu) and a host of new guests ranging from flautist André 3000 (Dream State) to funk legend George Clinton (Get Lit).
Washington also opts for conciseness, since this offering lasts “only” 86 minutes, half as long as his previous albums! The result is even denser. Despite its resting beaches, Fearless Movement is an intense album, which is teeming with proposals and requires attentive listening, even a certain commitment. The result nonetheless remains (relatively) accessible, with its catchy melodic lines (Prologue) and some gut-wrenching solos. Even if he does not compromise, Kamasi Washington seems to have found a way to reach a wider audience, a talent that is not given to everyone… His world tour includes stops in Toronto (May 7) and in Vancouver (May 30). Oddly, Montreal is not on the schedule…
Extract of Dream State
Jazz
Fearless Movement
Kamasi Washington
Young