Kamasi Washington - The Epic - New West Coast Spiritual Jazz

I've heard a few tracks from Kamasi Washington's upcoming 171 minute, 3 disc album, The Epic and am super excited. It's on Flying Lotus's Brainfeeder label and expected out May 5, 2015. It includes a 32-piece orchestra and a 20-person choir.

From the Aquarium Drunkard music blog, "Check out the 14-minute first taste, “Re Run Home.” With its soaring reeds, slinky bass and afrobeat percussion, you’ll want to strap in for this one."

 

Thanks for sharing. My ears have been hunting for sounds like these.

 

Big thanks from me as well. I preordered the 24-bit wave files.

 

The Epic is now streaming on NPR First Listen... and it's as good as expected! There's a lot to absorb, but it's amazing that Washington and his group keep up a consistent level of quality across almost three hours of music.

http://www.npr.org/2015/04/26/402027691/first-listen-kamasi-washington-the-epic

 

The more time I spend with this album, the more it blows me away. Definitely album of the year contender for me. Has anyone else heard it? What do you guys think?

 

I've listened to about half of it so far and what I've heard is outstanding. Looking forward to listening to the rest. I don't think I'll be disappointed.

 

I preordered this album on spec because I liked the idea of it. Nothing in that youtube extract makes me want to cancel.

 

I've just listened to the first few songs and am blown away - what an amazing work this is. I would have never known about this without the Forum - one of the reasons that I love hanging around this place. I agree that The Epic is a contender for album of the year - spiritual, yet accessible.

 

I like it alright. Im not sure that its something groundbreaking though.

What exactly is the new west coast spiritual jazz genre?

Not trying to be difficult or contrary. Someone says "cool jazz" and "hard bob" I can immediately hear the difference.

What is it that makes this as the persons having something to say?

 

Just listening to this today after stumbling across the P4k review. Gosh, how is this so consistently good for over 170 minutes? I'll be soaking this up for awhile.

 

Love the clips I've hear so this will definitely be one to buy.

 

From what I have read I reckon I need this album. I just stumbled on it on itunes & its MFiT too.

 

This is a very strong record that makes me grin from ear to ear on each listen. A firm favourite for life!

 

Received my copy today, although I've been listening on Autorip for a couple of days. I'm surprised that this thread hasn't received more traction since - in terms of big album career "arrivals" this would seem to be one of the most prominent Jazz releases for some years.

 

The physical CD copy was hard to find - Amazon was out and my local indie didn't have it, despite stocking lots of Flying Lotus, Kendrick Lamarr, Thundercat, etc. This one is really flying under the radar. I was so jazzed to hear it, I bought the download when it was released on iTunes until my special order arrived (yesterday) at my local indie. It the best new jazz album I've heard, ever.

 

To the OP: thanks ever so much for posting this. Within approximately a minute I had searched Tidal, found it and was listening to The Epic in all its splendour.

At places I half expected Marvin Gaye to start singing !

 

Pre ordered this on Amazon and today enjoyed listening to the first volume. Now looking forward to the next two discs in this triple release.

 

I've heard a lot of great things about this release since last week. Just downloaded it from iTunes. Looking forward to hearing it.

 

I have to surmise that many of the folks commenting here are not greatly familiar with jazz. This is nice, but not anywhere groundbreaking/innovative/different. It has a mid-70s vibe to my ears, from the Mwandishi/Julian Priester/Eddie Henderson/ Lonnie Liston Smith etc style.

 

Well, yes, but how much music like this is being made today? The economics of these sort of bands has shifted and what large bands there seem to be more along Lincoln Center lines. It's hardly surprising that an album such as this would feel like a breath of fresh air. I don't think anyone in this thread is saying that it's groundbreaking or innovative.

 

It might feel like a breath of fresh air, but it's decidedly retro music.
Agreed about the economics, doing a disc with all the additional personnel is almost impossible these days.

 

You are absolutely correct. BUT it is well done and accessible, which is more than (in this non-musician and "jazz" lover's opinion) is more than can be said for a lot of "new" jazz on the market.

Seriously, much of these "young lions" music is very good but takes a lot of effort to digest. This effort (and many of the Smoke Session releases) is like a breathe of fresh air.

 

NPR will be streaming the entire 3-hour record release concert that happened earlier this month in LA on Wednesday at 9pm EST.

Check it out HERE

 

Just grabbed my copy and am looking forward to digesting the entire thing when I've got some time. The buzz has been exceptional so far.

 

I like this album as well, some of it reminds me of 70s jazz on the Strata-East or Black Jazz labels... nothing groundbreaking here, but good stuff nonetheless.