Label: Spiritmuse Records, 2024

Personnel - Kahil El’Zabar: drums, earth drum, cajon, kalimba, voice; Isaiah Collier: tenor and soprano saxophone, percussion; Corey Wilkes: trumpet, spirit bowls, percussion; Justin Dillard: keyboards, percussion.

To confront the anxieties and challenges of our current times, drummer and spiritual jazz luminary Kahil El’Zabar delivers a double album consisting of nine tracks steeped in soothing harmonies and spring-loaded rhythms. El’Zabar’s credits span from avant-garde/free explorations with David Murray, Hamiet Bluiett, Billy Bang, and Pharoah Sanders to leadership roles in groups like the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble and Ritual Trio.

In this latest offering, the two horn players - trumpeter Corey Wilkes and saxophonist Isaiah Collier - are impressive presences throughout, while the versatile keyboardist Justin Dillard adds ample groove to the ensemble. The album kicks off with “A Time for Healing”, establishing its modus operandi with immutable circularity. Rattling percussion, spirit bowls, and kalimba support tranquilizing unisons and subsequent horn solos delivered with a mix of peaceful resolution and notable fervency. Tracks like “Drum Talk” evoke an African tribal chant, offering words of hope and guidance, while “Eddie Harris” pays homage to the late saxophonist with a groovy funk sound adorned with cool horn riffs. The funk vibe continues on “Time Is”, where El’Zabar’s eloquent cajon playing takes center stage.

While there's a hint of retro influence in this work, there's also a balanced focus on the present moment. Coltrane’s “Resolution” showcases Collier’s determined and exploratory saxophone work with outside inflection, Wilkes’ agitated phrasing carved with motivic elasticity, and Dillard’s keyboard boldness. “We’ll Get Through This” injects a strong R&B flavor into the healing sounds, while Gershwin’s “Summertime” receives a chilled-out, mantra-like treatment. Lastly,“The Coming of Spring”, a swinging jazz odyssey with a palpable structure, harkens back to Pharoah Sanders’ “You’ve Got to Have Freedom”, featuring solos from all members and a dynamic dialogue between trumpet and saxophone.

Picking up where he left off with Spirit Groove (Spiritmuse, 2020), El’Zabar weaves these well-intentioned healing sounds into iterative cycles. The spirited soloing and positive energy ease any possible monotony, accentuating the ensemble’s strengths.

Favorite Tracks:
05 - The Coming of Spring ► 06 - Resolution ► 08 - Time Is