Shabaka Hutchings and The Ancestors release incredible new Impulse! album ‘We Are Sent Here By History’
Over the past half decade, Shabaka Hutchings has been one of the most breakthrough artists to come out of the resurgent London jazz scene. Over the past couple of years, the composer and saxophonist’s other two groups, Sons of Kemet and The Comet Is Coming, have released a number of incredible recording via the legendary Impulse! label. Following up on the ensemble’s 2016 Brownswood debut, Wisdom of Elders, Hutchings reunites with his South African collective The Ancestors on a brilliant new conceptual album, titled We Are Sent Here By History.
Also released on Impulse!, this new full-length recording is guided by the an hour-long conceptualized poem, written and performed by Siyabonga Mthembu that explores African and Afro-Caribbean traditions, while connecting lessons of the past directly to the future. In a recent New York Times interview, Hutchings stated this point, “We need to start articulating our utopias, articulating what needs to be burned and what needs to be saved.”
Musically, the eleven-track album is incredible start to finish, combining Hutchings fiery saxophone lines with Mthembu’s powerful vocals, layered horn melodies, hard-hitting bass grooves, and African-influenced percussion rhythms. There is a strong deep rhythmic and spiritual feel throughout the recording, a sense of freedom within each track.
Led by Hutchings, the stellar group of musicians on the recording includes vocalist/poet Mthembu, bassist Ariel Zamonsky, percussionist Gontse Makhene and drummer Tumi Mogorosi. Also featured throughout the album is alto saxophonist Mthunzi Mvubu, pianists Nduduzo Makhathini and Thandi Ntuli, and the trumpeter Mandla Mlangeni. All but Hutchings resides in either the South African cities of Johannesburg or Soweto, two regions that have strong jazz roots (see Batsumi, Louis Moholo, Chris McGregor, Johnny Dyani, Abdullah Ibrahim, Hugh Masekela).
As we continue to navigate as a society through uncertain and trying times on a number of levels, I cannot think of a more important and timely release speaking to the urgency of now. It’s early in 2020, however there is no doubt that this is one of the best recordings of the year.
Shabaka & The Ancestors — ‘We Are Sent Here By History’
(Impulse!)
1. They Who Must Die
2. You’ve Been Called
3. Go My Heart, Go To Heaven
4. Behold, The Deceiver
5. Run, The Darkness Will Pass
6. The Coming Of The Strange Ones
7. Beasts Too Spoke of Suffering
8. We Will Work (On Redefining Manhood)
9. ‘Til The Freedom Comes Home
10. Finally, The Man Cried
11. Teach Me How To Be Vulnerable
