Kamasi Washington Fearless Movement 2LP

Turning his attention to dance for his latest album, Fearless Movement out May 2024 on Young, Kamasi Washington resumes his ongoing study of music as a means of connection. His 2015 album The Epic, as well as 2018's Heaven and Earth, were received by critics and audiences as a reimagination of modern jazz showcasing Washington's larger-than-lift compositions full of celestial grandeur and his distinct blend of jazz, Latin, funk, classical, hip-hop and soul.

Fearless Movement, however, offers something different: terrestrial rhythms and collaborations from rappers, musical icons and even Washington's own daughter. Features include: Thundercat, Taj Austin, Ras Austin, Patrice Quinn, DJ Battlecat, Brandon Coleman, D-Smoke, George Clinton, Bj the Chicago Kid, and Andre 3000.

Track by track, Fearless Movement is relentless in exploring new sonic terrains and paying homage to musical forbears. It is Washington's most cohesive statement. He doesn't merely juxtapose instruments and sounds, he painstakingly combines them, bringing joy, intensity, political, social, and spiritual poignancy in a vision at once focused, restless, and playful.