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Kamasi Washington | Essential albums and listening guide
Explore Kamasi Washington through The Epic. Discover what to listen for and follow related styles to your next record.
Kamasi Washington
Meet the artist
The tenor saxophonist who connected the lineage of spiritual jazz to the modern era through his masterpiece “The Epic”. He helped a new generation to rediscover jazz in a broader way. Powerful tenor anchors broad landscapes that can include choir and strings.
Soul- and funk-related rhythms support extended improvisation, connecting individual solos with collective uplift. Echoes of spiritual jazz coexist with openness to contemporary Los Angeles musical culture. Memorable themes and repetition provide footholds within the large scale. Following the song or rhythm is an inviting way into the many layers of sound.
Where to start listening
Take in the large sound, then follow a single saxophone line. Moving between recurring themes and the ensemble's breadth can help you navigate longer pieces.
2015The Epic
Kamasi Washington
A debut album released in a magnificent three-disc format. Along with the members of the West Coast Get Down group, it brought new jazz popularity to the hip-hop generation.
Open this album in the Atlas →
2018Heaven and Earth
Kamasi Washington
A two-volume work that follows “The Epic”. It boldly incorporates orchestras and choral elements, while also possessing a cosmic scale and messagefulness.
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Years follow the Atlas catalogue. Recording dates, original release dates and digital reissue dates may differ.