Much has been made of saxophonist Kamasi Washington’s
association with hip-hop luminaries on records and on tour, but his jazz
pedigree is equally strong. Graduating from UCLA as well as Gerald Wilson’s big
band prepared him for just about everything. He uses all of those influences
and his own style on this appropriately titled three CD jazz band plus choir
and strings extravaganza.
The
opening
“Change of the Guard” features
heavy saxophone and McCoy Tyner influenced piano, with choir and strings that
recall Alice Coltrane’s early 70’s Impulse Records recordings. Using guitar
against lavish orchestral backdrop, Washing builds a solid foundation for a
powerfully built and occasionally overblown solo that recalls Pharoah Sanders,
before returning the choir to the front juxtaposed against thrashing drums.
“Final Thought” has a keyboard opening before the gales of piano and saxophone
that have notions of the great early McCoy Tyner live albums Enlightenment and
Atlantis allowing Washington to really double down and show what a deep and
powerful musician he is. The music he is hot and fast, and coming in at 6:32 it
is the shortest track on the album: pithy, fast and a true highlight. After
that “The Rhythm Changes” throws us a curveball with subtle female vocals and a
spacious trumpet solo, before the swelling strings and choir swallow everything
up. “Miss Understanding” puts Washington back in the driver’s seat with
slamming saxophone over the choir and hot drums and some challenging trumpet.
There is a fine bass and drum pulse and an especially inspired bass feature.
The drums and bass also feature prominently on “The Magnificent 7” moving on
their own and supporting Washington along with and muscular piano, which cut
through the musical thicket. There is a very interesting arrangement of
“Cherokee” with soulful vocals remaking the bebop flag-waver into a funky soul
jazz piece. Washington bides his time and shows some some very confident saxophone
playing, caressing the melody along with fine rhythm accompaniment. In the end
this is an exhausting album, and while he doesn’t re-invent the wheel, it is an
admirable and audacious one. Kamasi Washington is an excellent saxophonist and
his arrangements put jazz, funk and the kitchen sink into the blender with mostly
successful results.
The Epic - amazon.com
