Following 2015’s (aptly titled) The Epic and 2018’s Heaven and Earth, the Los Angeles saxophonist, composer, and band leader juggernaut’s Fearless Movement is “a celebration of music, dance, and the ever changing maze of the mind that makes us who we are”.
Terrestrial rhythms, collaborations from rappers, musical icons, and even his own daughter; this isn’t your mama’s jazz album!
Washington’s distinct blend of jazz, Latin, funk, classical, hip-hop, soul, and fusion is, as ever, on full display, but what separates Fearless Movement from its predecessors is the clearer than ever idea of Washington creating a musical playground for his friends/collaborators to be themselves in.
Fearless Movement isn’t a saxophone album, it’s, as stated by Mojo Magazine, “…an unabashed, cross-country, transgenerational manifestation and celebration of Black American music,”.
As undeniably genius as the man is himself, he depends on the collaboration of community, those who he respects as geniuses in their own right.
He may be the star, but he’s not the nucleus to which everyone revolves around; Washington is the blueprint for his friends to tear apart, reshape, and create something entirely new out of.
Featuring long time collaborators Thundercat and Patrice Quinn, as well as Andre 3000, George Clinton, Taj and Ras Austin, DJ Battlecat, Brandon Coleman, D-Smoke, and BJ the Chicago Kid, this 86 minute masterclass in songwriting and mood making is every bit as transcendent as its 2-plus hour long predecessors.
Out May 3rd on YOUNG Recordings, be sure to stop in and grab your 2x LP or 2x CD copy of this already modern classic! You can also find tickets to the Fearless Movement North American Tour 2024 HERE!
