Chicago’s legendary Ethnic Heritage Ensemble releases new spiritual jazz album
Led by Chicago percussionist Kahil El’Zabar, the legendary spiritual jazz group Ethnic Heritage Ensemble releases their first full-length album in five years, titled Be Known: Ancient/ Future/ Music.
Released on the new London-based label Spiritmuse Records, this brilliant new album includes twelve new recordings featuring re-interpreted standards like “Little Sunshine” (two versions in honor of Freddie Hubbard and Roy Hargrove), and “Freedom Jazz Dance,” as well as a number of compositions dedicated to recently passed legends like Randy Weston, Cecil Taylor, Jerry Gonzales (“N2 Deep”), Hamiet Bluiett (“Blew It”), and black feminist poet/playwright Ntozake Shange. Keeping with the dedications, one of the album’s most standout tracks is “Pharaoh,” which is a tribute to spiritual jazz great Pharaoh Sanders. The music incorporates Afro-centric percussion rhythms, spiritual jazz melodies, freeform horn solos, and pulsating backing grooves.
Alongside El’Zabar on multi-percussion and vocals, this version of the group includes longtime member Corey Wilkes on trumpet, and two newer additions in Alex Harding on baritone saxophone, and Ian Maksin on cello.
Even though El’Zabar and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble have made a number of great recordings over the past four decades, Be Known: Ancient/ Future/ Music might arguably their best to date. This album, like all of their past records, continues to push the boundaries while paying tribute to jazz pioneers of the past. It will certainly be difficult to find a more exceptional spiritual jazz release this year!
Ethnic Heritage Ensemble — ‘Be Known Ancient/Future/Music’
(Spiritmuse Records)
1. N2 Deep (for Randy Weston, Jerry Gonzalez, Cecil Taylor)
2. Freedom Jazz Dance
3. Little Sunflower (for Roy Hargrove)
4. Be Known
5. Black is Back
6. Blew It (for Hamiet Bluiett)
7. Wish I Knew (from the film ‘Be Known’)
8. Pharoah
9. Lost in myself (Live at the Loving Cup)
10. Ntozake (for Ntozake Shange)
11. Little Sunflower / Percussion (for Freddie Hubbard)
12. Oof (Live at the Loving Cup)
