Kamasi Washington – Harmony Of Difference 2017: Free download & Video

Kamasi Washington release a new EP Harmony of Difference, and it follows 2015’s monumental full-length The Epic. The new EP premiered as part of the Whitney Museum of American Art’s biennial alongside a film by A.G. Rojas and the work of Washington’s sister Amani.

A press release describes Harmony of Difference as a “six part suite that explores the philosophical possibilities of the musical technique known as ‘counterpoint,’ which Washington defines as ‘the art of balancing similarity and difference to create harmony between separate melodies.’” Washington also shared his motivations behind the project: “My hope is that witnessing the beautiful harmony created by merging different musical melodies will help people realize the beauty in our own differences.”

Credited with making jazz cool again, Kamasi Washington’s cosmic clout is undeniable. Following his acclaimed 2015 debut album The Epic, this EP finds him exploring the concept of diversity via counterpoint. Where The Epic might occasionally have felt directionless, the succinct nature of Harmony of Difference means there’s a clear purpose: Washington warmly traverses various themes (across both subject and music) and – via the wailing sax on Humility, the sleazy funk of Perspective, and the quasi-bossa nova of Integrity – it’s an enriching listen. The standout is Truth, taking and synthesising these themes into a gloriously cinematic, choir-laden masterpiece, seeking to remind us of the beautiful harmonies that differences bring.

A1 Desire 4:36
Bass – Miles MosleyDrums – Ronald Bruner Jr.Keyboards – Brandon ColemanPercussion, Drums – Tony AustinPiano – Cameron GravesTenor Saxophone – Kamasi WashingtonTrombone – Ryan PorterTrumpet – Dontae Winslow
A2 Humility 2:46
Bass – Miles MosleyDrums – Ronald Bruner Jr.Drums, Percussion – Tony AustinKeyboards – Brandon ColemanPiano – Cameron GravesTenor Saxophone – Kamasi WashingtonTrombone – Ryan PorterTrumpet – Dontae Winslow
A3 Knowledge 3:51
Bass – Miles MosleyDrums – Ronald Bruner Jr.Keyboards – Brandon ColemanPercussion, Drums – Tony AustinPiano – Cameron GravesTenor Saxophone – Kamasi WashingtonTrombone – Ryan PorterTrumpet – Dontae Winslow
A4 Perspective 3:24
Bass – Miles MosleyDrums – Ronald Bruner Jr.Keyboards – Brandon ColemanPercussion, Drums – Tony AustinPiano – Cameron GravesTenor Saxophone – Kamasi WashingtonTrombone – Ryan PorterTrumpet – Dontae Winslow
A5 Integrity 3:47
Bass – Miles MosleyDrums – Ronald Bruner Jr.Keyboards – Brandon ColemanPercussion, Drums – Tony AustinPiano – Cameron GravesTenor Saxophone – Kamasi WashingtonTrombone – Ryan PorterTrumpet – Dontae Winslow
B1 Truth 13:30
Alto Saxophone – Terrace MartinBass – Miles MosleyBass Guitar – ThundercatCello – Artyom Manukyan, Peter JacobsonChoir – Dawn Norfleet, Dexter Story, Dustin Warren, Jimetta Rose, Mashica Winslow, Patrice Quinn, Steven Wayne (3), Taylor Graves, Thalma De FreitasDrums – Ronald Bruner Jr.Flute – Rickey WashingtonGuitar – Matt HazeKeyboards – Brandon ColemanPercussion, Drums – Tony AustinPiano – Cameron GravesTenor Saxophone – Kamasi WashingtonTrombone – Ryan PorterTrumpet – Dontae WinslowVibraphone – Nick ManciniViola – Andrea Whitt, Molly Rogers,Violin – Chris Woods, Jen Simone, Paul Cartwright, Tylana Renga

Free download