KAMASI WASHINGTON | The Epic

Kamasi Washington, LA based jazz saxophonist, composer, band leader and complete nutter has just signed with Brainfeeder (Experimental record label of Flying Lotus) for the release of his album aptly entitled The Epic.

This is 172 dazzling minutes of this jazz-funk rapture. I am sitting here lost in it and I swear I am laughing out loud at how good it is.

This 3 disc album includes a 32 piece orchestra, 20 person choir as well as the actual band of ten which includes Brainfeeder's top-of-the-shelf, Jaco Pastorius-style bass player, Thundercat. This band has two drummers and two bassists. I can actually imagine the rhythm section posted at four corners trying their damndest to contain the rest of the musicians. And failing. They escape and run rampant right through your brain. If you can surrender to them, this album is an absolute joy to listen to. It ranges from the highest highs to the deepest ,softest lows; from the utterly tight and funky to the swingingest of swinging jazz; from the deeply retro to the absolutely progressive.

I would break down the album for you and describe the tracks individually but there are seventeen of them, far too many to tackle and each one as good as the last.

It's a textural masterpiece.

It is courageous.

It is a thing of beauty.

I mean, even if you're not into jazz... everyone needs at least a few jazz cds in their collection, right? Why not make this one of those? Just to add a little color to your collection.

The former West Coast director of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, Barbara Sealy, was quoted as saying this: “Nothing compares to these guys. I challenge any group to go out on stage with them and see if they can keep up with it… Kamasi is at the top of his game, and only getting better.”

Masterful!