Kamasi Washington – Fearless Movement (2xLP)

On his first solo record in six years, Washington turns his attention to dance – a natural progression of the Los Angeles born artist’s ongoing study of music as a means of connection.

His 2015 album The Epic, as well as 2018’s Heaven and Earth were received by critics and audiences as a kind of intervention, across generations and genres. Both of those records were big offerings, heavy on choir and strings, but Fearless Movement offers something different: terrestrial rhythms and collaborations from rappers, musical icons and even Washington’s own daughter.

With guests including Thundercat, Taj Austin, Ras Austin, Patrice Quinn, DJ Battlecat, Brandon Coleman, D-Smoke, George Clinton, Bj the Chicago Kid, and Andre 3000, there’s a tight-knit feeling to Fearless Movement, which continues to connect Washington’s work to Black music in L.A. across time — from past to present to future.