With his epic, maximalist and above all spiritual music, Kamasi Washington became a figurehead of contemporary American jazz and black music. In doing so, the Los Angeles-based saxophonist did not shy away from such means as screeching orchestras and dramatic choruses on such successful albums as
The Epic (2015) and
Heaven And Earth (2018). These are not missing from Fearless Movement, but on his
… diverse third album, Washington also dives into hip-hop and funk. At the same time, he builds the spiritual jazz piece Asha The First on a few accidental notes his little daughter played to him on the piano. Deep always goes Fearless Movement, with perhaps the highlight being the duet Dream State with flutist André 3000, which has an incantatory build-up. Blowing up the dated song Computer Love (a cover of Zapp) into a carried soul ballad eventually takes on something unintentionally almost laughable. Once again, Washington balances between grand and grotesque on Fearless Movement. That he is a gifted and inspired saxophonist is beyond dispute (MR).more
