Staff Reviews

Kamasi Washington - The Epic

Review by Russell Warfield

Washington is reaching for the epic on every scale.»

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A brazen release from young Los Angeles jazz giant, composer and bandleader Kamasi Washington. 'The Epic' is unlike anything jazz has seen and not just because it emanates from the boundary-defying Brainfeeder. 'The Epic' is a 172 minute, three volume set (across three CDs) that includes a 32-piece orchestra, a 20-person choir and 17 songs overlaid with a compositional score written by Washington. Pulsing underneath is an otherworldly ten-piece band, each member of which is individually regarded as among the best young musicians on the planet, including bassist Thundercat and his brother, drummer Ronald Bruner Jr. Recommended if you like Flying Lotus, John Coltrane, Fela Kuti. Flying Lotus has featured Washington on his albums 'Cosmogramma' and 'You're Dead!' and he also plays on the new Kendrick Lamar album 'To Pimp A Butterfly'.
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