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Kamasi Washington, Heaven and Earth

Kamasi Washington, Heaven and Earth


This two-and-a-half hour progressive jazz epic is just a little bit shorter than his three-disc debut three years ago, but LA luminary Kamasi Washington uses his sophomore effort to broaden his scope. Wildly heralded as “the future of jazz” for a few years now, Washington has spent the last few years contributing his sax virtuosity and his composition skills to other jazz, rap, R&B, indie rock and electronica projects. Now, he’s bringing it all back home, but it’s not a matter of fusion — this is 100% jazz, in the same way that the Beatles’ Revolver was 100% a rock album even as it expanded the breadth of what rock and roll could be. Washington the bandleader’s vision is informed and invigorated by many sources, and it’s breathtaking. Highlights: “Can You Hear Him,” “Vi Lua Vi Sol,” “Fists of Fury”

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