This is a record where the sum is greater than the parts, whereas The Epic was its parts (and having a lot of them). Harmony of Difference is another win in Kamasi Washington’s book, and I’m no less excited for his next move.
Harmony of Difference demonstrates Kamasi Washington as jazz's next great thinker, shaper and leader.
Following on its massive and sometimes unwieldy predecessor, Harmony of Difference, a brief and concentrated blast of emotion, is a great place to catch up on what Washington has to say.
On Harmony of Difference, Washington’s work remains as substantial and compelling as ever, and with any luck this EP is setting the scene for another, longer release from him soon.
If The Epic was a very large and rich meal then Harmony of Difference is a palate-cleansing sorbet or digestif. On the surface there is nothing unyielding or dense about it and everything flows together wonderfully, but once you start to scratch the surface you discover an EP that is full of hidden melodies and motifs and has enough to charm to make up for its brevity.
Each sophisticated melody and harmony may seem jarring and sometimes uncomfortable – as is the way with jazz music – but underneath the spiritual solos and out-there notes, there is a simple, familiar sound – and here lies the beauty of the Harmony Of Difference.
A glorious musical rollercoaster!
Harmony of Difference is an EP from American jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington, released in September 2017 on Young Turks. It was composed at Vox Recordings Studios in Los Angeles, California.
It is a concept album that's described as being a "six-movement suite", which has me very intrigued by that vague wording alone. I've been intrigued to check out music from Kamasi Washington, especially considering the praise that surrounds his 3hr album from ... read more
I mean, come on. What did you think I was going to give Kamasi Washington? Something lower than a 100? Are you fucking nuts?
The way I see this EP is that this is a short add-on to The Epic. If you want to expose yourself to Kamasi Washington's music, but not take on the lengthy album that is The Epic, this album is a perfect choice for you. Harmony of Difference is a 30-minute EP that shows how masterclass Kamasi Washington's jazz compositions are. Every song on here is excellent, and they ... read more
I have never enjoyed every track of a Jazz album this much. None of the songs had to grow on me through multiple listens, all of the songs hooked me instantly.
Desire (10/10) – This song made my bias for saxophones even stronger, such a beautiful sound. Those high notes are filled with so much emotion while also conforming to the song’s spiritual and strangely liminal feel.
Humility (8.5/10) – Upbeat and lively, the saxophone and trumpet work extremely well together. The ... read more
i was gonna say i wish it was longer but his main 2 albums amount to over 5 hours worth of music
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