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.
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.
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.
#7 | / | Philadelphia Inquirer |
#12 | / | Esquire (US) |
#15 | / | Passion of the Weiss |
#16 | / | Slant Magazine |
#16 | / | Time Out New York |
#17 | / | Clash |
#19 | / | ABC News |
#21 | / | Consequence of Sound |
#25 | / | The Line of Best Fit |
#31 | / | Pitchfork |