Kamasi Washington - Fearless Movement (Album Review)
Monday, 13 May 2024
Written by Jacob Brookman
Kamasi Washington’s ‘Fearless Movement’ is a trip — an intense, sprawling jazz happening that combines big arrangements, hyper-competitive instrumental solos and hip hop interludes. It’s hugely impressive and accomplished.
Its danceability probably means that the record doesn’t quite qualify as fusion, but the music is still a little hard to follow even if there are genteel moments within. Computer Love, for example, is a quizzical reverie with sweet vocals from Patrice Quinn and a synth solo that takes us temporally forwards as well as backwards.
It’s actually a cover of Ohio funk band Zapp's 1986 curiosity song, but re-envisaged in such a way that uses the original as a creative jumping-off point, and little more. It swells and magics its way through the airwaves and is one of the LP’s most memorable, if long winded, moments.
Dream State, featuring Andre 3000, is another track that takes its time to develop into devastating technical jazz. Here, a busy bass rhythm emerges from the swell, with Washington’s sax soloing over the top.
The breadth of textures only really emerges when the sound thins out and then we stumble into a complex, beguiling rhythm that forms the basis for busy playing and trippy melodies. If this isn’t fearless movement, then what is?
There are some highly garlanded collaborators on ‘Fearless Movement’ in Thundercat, Terrance Martin and George Clinton, to less familiar names like Taj Austin of Coast Contra. This blend provides depth and versatility, while still very much feeling like a Kamasi Washington record.
Actually, the thing that really stays with you is a sense of fun. ‘Fearless Movement’ seems like it was a joyous experience to create, and there are great grooves and songs which could get the dancefloor moving at a party. It’s not completely in Washington’s sweet spot of high drama and societal urgency, but it’s great to hear this artist kick back and still break new ground.
Kamasi Washington Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue October 15 2024 - MANCHESTER Albert Hall
Wed October 16 2024 - LONDON O2 Academy Brixton
Thu October 17 2024 - CARDIFF University Great Hall
Sun October 20 2024 - GATESHEAD Glasshouse International Centre for Music - Sage 1
Mon October 21 2024 - LEEDS Project House
Tue October 22 2024 - GLASGOW Barrowland
Wed October 23 2024 - DUBLIN Olympia Theatre
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