This is ‘A Time for Healing’, the title track and first single from the forthcoming release by Chicago’s legendary spiritual jazz shaman Kahil El’Zabar’, leading an enviable ensemble of upcoming masters from his hometown.
“‘A Time For Healing’ channels the atavistic spirit of that whole lineage by making rhythmic footprints in the African sands. The evocative spiritual trinket percussion of Stanley Cowell and presence of Pharoah Sanders can be felt keenly on this humble but urgently expressed offering of jug poured and tines thumbed kalimba, swift-of-wing spiraled and rasped saxophone, and yearned, soothed trumpet righteousness” writes Dominic Valvona in the album’s liner notes.
This is enchanting, hypnotic spiritual jazz sounds with a powerful message from yet another epic double LP’s worth of ancient/future music for the mind, body and soul by Kahil El’Zabar. ‘A Time for Healing’ answers the urgent questions posed by his sold-out ‘America The Beautiful’ album, addressing the state of affairs today whilst calling for a better tomorrow.
The quartet’s line-up is incredible and as ever, with the Chicago legend surrounding himself with the hottest young talent. Sonic scientist, Isaiah Collier joins on saxophone. Suffice to say, he doesn’t disappoint. El’Zabar leads the ensemble through hypnotic groove after groove, providing Collier with ample space to improvise and uplift. Following stand-out performances on ‘America The Beautiful’ and a long-term member of the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble (see ‘Be Known Ancient/Future/Music’), Corey Wilkes, one of best trumpeters in the world today, returns and shines once again. Keyboard wizard Justin Dillard, who truly shone on his collaboration with El’Zabar on ‘Spirit Groove’, returns for another stellar performance, steeped in the heritage of Dr. Lonnie Smith and McCoy Tyner.
Recorded in December 2020 in Chicago, ‘A Time For Healing’ is not only the answer to the urgent questions asked by El’Zabar’s ‘America the Beautiful’; its’ spiritual and ever probing human journey offers a regenerative opus in the face of growing global anxiety. What the world needs right now is exactly what El’Zabar and his quartet have on offer: A Time for Healing.
https://kahilelzabar-is.bandcamp.com/album/a-time-for-healing
