Legendary Chicago-based multi-percussionist, bandleader, vocalist, composer, and educator Kahil El’Zabar follows-up two essential albums for London’s Spiritmuse Records, in Be Known Ancient/Future/Music and America The Beautiful, with another brilliant full-length on the label, titled A Time For Healing.

Backed by a stellar quartet that includes John Coltrane-esque saxophonist Isaiah Collier, trumpet heavyweight Corey Wilkes, and keyboard wizard Justin Dillard, this nine-track album attempts to answer the call of 2020’s politically focused America The Beautiful with a heavy dose of “soul healing” spiritual jazz grooves and hypnotic rhythms. On top of joyful uplifting and hopeful themes, the recording also pays tribute to jazz great Eddie Harris and John Coltrane (performing “Resolution” from A Love Supreme), as well as including a beautiful and hauntingly sparse treatment of Gershwin’s well-know classic “Summertime”.

Not only do all the musicians on the recording hold it down on their respectively main instruments, everyone also adds additional percussion textures, and El’Zabar plays the kalimba on a number of tracks, giving the album a African-rooted percussion-based feel.

Kahil El’Zabar, along with his superb quartet, have once again release a spiritual jazz masterpiece that speaks to the moment and the overall mood of today, while looking ahead to what we all hope is a brighter future.

Officially Released on Spiritmuse Records February 4, 2022

Kahil El’Zabar Quartet — ‘A Time For Healing’
(Spiritmuse Records)

1. A Time for Healing
2. Drum Talk (Run’n in the Streets)
3. Urban Shaman
4. Eddie Harris
5. The Coming of Spring
6. Resolution
7. We’ll Get Through This
8. Time IS
9. Summertime

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• Cosmic
• Jazz Funk
• Spiritual Jazz