Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble — Open Me, A Higher Consciousness of Sound and Spirit (Spiritmuse)

Photo by Christopher Andrew

Celebrating 50 years of his Ethnic Heritage Ensemble bandleader, activist, educator and percussionist Kahil El’Zabar delves deeply into the music he has helped shape over his long career. Open Me is neither a valedictory nostalgia trip nor a lap of honor. Spanning spiritual and avant-garde jazz, African rhythms, soul blues and protest music, El’Zabar and his cohorts, trumpeter Corey Wilkes and baritone saxophonist Alex Harding, are joined by guests Ishmael Ali on cello and violinist James Sanders in collection of original tunes and finely wrought covers that look forward while linking the threads of El’Zabar’s musical legacy.

The quintet finds a devotional center to Miles Davis’ “All Blues”. El’Zabar plays on kalimba and bells, his hums and ululations a prayerful focus. The band play at a meditative pace with Wilkes pushing his tone through Davis’ modal calm into higher registers that evoke Don Cherry whilst Harding provides soulful counterpoint and a solo that carries the barest trace of Coltrane. Sanders’ short solo scratches then soars as if freeing itself from earthly concerns. “The Whole World in His Hands” feels reclaimed as El’Zabar lays down a rolling African beat and his vocal emphasizes the gospel blues root of the song. Behind, the horns and strings provide an intense group sound, with a call and response of short solos that mirror both church service and jam session. Their version of Eugene McDaniel’s “Compared To What” finds El’Zabar’s graveled vocal backed by Harding’s nimble baritone riff, a glorious clarion call from Wilkes and atmospheric flourishes from the strings. The spirit is to the fore, but this band also swings hard. “Hang Tuff” and McCoy Tyner’s “Passion Dance” are exuberant celebrations. The former graced by a dervish of a solo from Sanders and the latter played with all the power of a big band, the horns blasting the theme, El’Zabar all over his kit, the solos uniformly fiery.  

From Lester Bowie, Anthony Braxton and Pharoah Sanders to David Murray to Tomeka Reid and Isaiah Collier, El’Zabar’s career spans generations of forward-thinking musicians. The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is the longest running of his many musical projects and on Open Me, they produce a stirring mix of spirituality, groove and fire music. This is history very much alive and kicking.

Andrew Forell

A new album from Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble today as well - "Open Me, A Higher Consciousness of Sound and Spirit"

This is the new offering from Kahil El’Zabar and his Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, in conjunction with the legendary group’s 50th anniversary, Open Me, A Higher Consciousness of Sound and Spirit. Open Me is a joyous honoring of portent new directions of the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble; it’s a visionary journey into deep roots and future routes, channeling traditions old and new. It mixes El’Zabar’s original compositions with timeless classics by Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner, and Eugene McDaniels. Thus, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble continues affirming their indelible, half-century presence within the continuum of Great Black Music.  Open Me, El’Zabar’s sixth collaboration with Spiritmuse in five years, marks another entry in a run of critically acclaimed recordings that stretch back to the first EHE recording in 1981. The storied multi-percussionist, composer, fashion designer, and former Chair of the Association of Creative Musicians (AACM) is in what might be the most productive form of his career, and now in his seventies, shows no signs of slowing down. Few creative music units can boast such longevity, and fewer still are touring as energetically and recording with the verve of the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble.  The EHE was founded by El’Zabar in 1974 originally as a quintet, but was soon paired down to its classic form — a trio, featuring El’Zabar on multi-percussion and voice, plus two horns. It was an unusual format, even by the standards of the outward-bound musicians of the AACM: “Some people literally laughed at our unorthodox instrumentation and approach. We were considered even stranger than most AACM bands at the time. I knew in my heart though that that this band had legs, and that my concept was based on logic as it pertains to the history of Great Black Music, i.e. a strong rhythmic foundation, innovative harmonics and counterpoint, well-balanced interplay and cacophony amongst the players, strong individual soloist, highly developed and studied ensemble dynamics, an in-depth grasp of music history, originality, fearlessness, and deep spirituality.” With El’Zabar at the helm, the band’s line-up has always been open to changes, and over the years the EHE has welcomed dozens of revered musicians including Light Henry Huff, Kalaparusha Maurice Macintyre, Joseph Bowie, Hamiett Bluiett, and Craig Harris. The current line-up has been consolidated over two decades — trumpeter Corey Wilkes entered the circle twenty years ago, while baritone sax player Alex Harding joined seven years ago, after having played with El’Zabar since the early 2000s in groups such as Joseph Bowie’s Defunkt.  For Open Me, El’Zabar has chosen to push the sound of the EHE in a new direction by adding string instruments — cello, played by Ishmael Ali, and violin/viola played by James Sanders. The addition of strings opens new textural resonances and timbral dimensions in the Ensemble’s sound, linking the work to the tradition of improvising violin and cello from Ray Nance to Billy Bang, Leroy Jenkins, and Abdul Wadud.  Open Me contains a mixture of originals, including some El’Zabar evergreens such as “Barundi,” “Hang Tuff,” “Ornette,” and “Great Black Music” (often attributed to the Art Ensemble of Chicago but is, in fact,  an El’Zabar composition). There are also numbers drawn from the modern tradition, which El’Zabar uniquely arranges, including a contemplative interpretation of Miles Davis’ “All Blues.” As a milestone anniversary celebration and a statement of future intent, Open Me effortlessly carries El’Zabar’s healing vision of Higher Consciousness of Sound and Spirit.   All compositions by Kahil El’Zabar except tracks ‘All Blues’ by Miles Davis, ‘He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands’ spiritual folk by Unknown, ‘Passion Dance’ by McCoy Tyner and ‘Compared to What’ by Gene McDaniels All arrangements by Kahil El’Zabar Tapestry and Art Direction by Nep Sidhu

Curious about Rumia and Joy.

Oh, interesting!

Name: Aimoto

Gender: Female

General appearance: Surprisingly tall, given how short both of her parents are, Aimoto looks nothing like either of them- almost as though one of them is hiding something from the other...

Personality: Aimoto takes a measured approach to her life in all measures that she can. Both of her parents are very obvious lessons about what happens if you go too far with something, as a result she's frequently stricken with decision paralysis about how to go about something.

Special Talents: Being born of two worlds, Aimoto possesses an unusual talent for corralling and commanding youkai and fae alike, as though she were a natural born leader.

Who they like better: Rumia, as while Joy is nice- she's also manipulative.

Who they take after more: Joy, that manipulative nature has wormed its way into Aimoto as well.

Personal headcanon: The both of them love their daughter equally, but differences in how to raise her had resulted in the two splitting from one another shortly after she was born.

Face Claim: It's Rumia who's hiding things from Joy.

BARAC@Ibiza Underground (ShamanDrum) House-Deephouse-SpiritMusic IndianMusic Drum and Percussion! 🎹🎧🥁⚱🪔🕯🪕

i'm getting ready to spend another friday night on wlur from 8pm until midnight. swing by or catch up with last week's show below!

no love for ned on wlur – may 12th, 2023 from 8-10pm

artist // track // album // label jale // ali // so wound // sub pop urusei yatsura // plastic ashtray // we are urusei yatsura // rocket girl hole // violet // live through this // dgc mhaol // asking for it // attachment styles // tulle mousey // the bench // my friends // winegum cheekface // popular two // it's sorted // (self-released) kate davis // monster mash // fish bowl // anti- the long blondes // once and never again // someone to drive you home // rough trade pale lips // get up and go // if you gotta go-go, go-go now- a tribute to the go-go's // sympathy for the record industry the courettes // night time (the boy of mine) // back in mono // damaged goods vera ellen // homewrecker // ideal home noise // flying nun calvin johnson // good and crazy // gallows wine // k hannah everingham // go on // between bodies // (self-released) hayden featuring feist // on a beach // are we good // arts and crafts sweeney // home song // stay for the sorrow // observable universe golden brown // busted crystal // weird choices cassette // inner islands center // the empty gesture // over the stations // bruit direct disques abdul wadud and leroy jenkins // straight ahead (excerpt) // straight ahead // red kahil el'zabar and ethnic heritage ensemble featuring dwight trible and david ornette cherry // don cherry // spirit gatherer- a tribute to don cherry // spiritmuse cvartetul de jazz paul weiner // colinda p // spirale // electrecord drew gardner featuring marco eneidi, roberto de haven and vytas nagisetty // the human abstract // the return cassette // astral spirits john carroll kirby // jubilee horns // septet // stones throw theo croker featuring ego ella may and d’leau // theo says // by the way ep // masterworks planet giza featuring saba // wyd // ready when you are // quiet note aj suede and televangel // rosicrucian rolls royce // parthian shots // fake four yaeji featuring k wata // ready or not // with a hammer // xl heather woods broderick // i want to go // labyrinth // western vinyl waterbaby // airforce blue // foam ep // sub pop evening pines // take a few steps back // it will take a long time // both worlds the lost days // half the time // in the store // speakeasy studios sf kid loco featuring katrina mitchell // love me sweet // a grand love story // yellow productions

A-T-3 160 Eurovision '83: France

I know the real thing is over, and if you were partying you're possibly feeling sensitive today, but this is fantasy Eurovision and I'm not done

Sylvain Kassap - Le Dessous Des Berges free spiritual jazz coming out of France. I think that's Jean-Michel Ponty you can hear on a hurdy gurdy? It was included on the Spirit Of France compilation Spiritmuse Records put out last year.

http://madonjazz.net/spiritmuse-records-madonjazz-152-spiritual-jazz-deep-listening/

Check out this gorgeous art made by SpiritMuse for my fic, “What it Means to Be A Demon.” I absolutely love the way the light is reflecting off the silver arm band. It’s basically exactly as I imagined it!!

Hosted on Imgur here. Show some love! :)

(sandromeda) Al que le llegue este regalo, es una fortuna.  

Beh, se mi traducono sono a posto. Un grazie a chi mi ringrazia, la “Spiritmuse Records” di Londra e a James Cook di “Off Topic Magazine”

One of the reasons why I love #soulfulhouse is based on the feeling, energy and message. Well crafted tune full of love and optimism @dawntallman and @antonelloferrari with @maskimori : : : #undergroundmusic #housemusic #soulfulhouse #spiritmusic #spotify #findingfathomdj #fathomdjfeature #love #truth #goodmusic #dancemusic #musicismedicine (at Atlanta, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/COJqk-BH21N/?igshid=8m8i280offjt

Surya Botofasina - Everyone's Children - with a provenance including Alice Coltrane (he was raised in her Ashram and was taught by her) and Carlos Niño (as musician and producer) this is a major work of meditative jazz (Spiritmuse)

Keyboardist and composer Surya Botofasina was taught in the tradition of Alice Coltrane, by Swamini Turiyasangitananda herself, on her Ashram in California where he grew up. These are unique, deep listening spiritual jazz and meditative sounds, from a progressive Sonic Artist devoted to: "OneLove. Family. Music.”  

Botofasina’s renown has enabled him to enlist a supremely talented, cross generational group of musicians for the project including major LA mainstays such as multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Carlos Niño - who also produced the album - jazz singer Dwight Trible, and indie folk vocalist Mia Doi Todd. Brilliantly gifted guitarist Nate Mercereau, saxophonist Pablo Calogero, and drummer Efa Etoroma Jr., round out the guest collaborators alongside Botofasina’s mother, the harpist Radha Botofasina, a key musical disciple of Alice Coltrane’s during her Ashram years and a hugely formative influence on the keyboardist. Ten years in consideration, the album’s genesis lay in Botofasina and Niño’s long-running creative partnership. The pair first linked up through Niño’s Build An Ark jazz ensemble, by the recommendation of Atwood-Ferguson, in 2011 and - after Niño suggested recording a Surya lead project, the idea began to solidify with a series of collaborative concerts in 2018 (still on-going,) that engendered a deep musical bond. Recorded by Jesse Peterson in 3 joyous sessions last year in Glendale, California, the results are grounded in the ashram music that Botofasina grew up with and present his own unique jazz-influenced take on devotional sounds.

Dedicated to the formative influences in Surya Botofasina’s life; his mother, grandmother and Alice Coltrane, his debut album is imbued with a wide-eyed sense of discovery. He explains: “Each piece feels like an inaugural experience in the most spiritually youthful way. Many musicians have many albums - but there is only one first. The Divine energy of a new life is within every second of the music.”

'WHAT YOU SAID’ BY ‘TERENCE JUNE GRAY’

‘WHAT YOU SAID’ is a SPIRIT FILLED song by ‘TERENCE JUNE GRAY’ By listening to amazing song, you are highly likely to realize  profound spiritual enlighten, which is essential in growing your faith  as a Christian. Looking at hear my voice lyrics, you will realize that  some songs are largely about testimonies of what God has done in the  lives of the singer. Playing such songs is bound to grow your faith  through their experiences. Songs can also be an essential tool for  gospel ministers to spread the word of hope to others.

This song is now available on spotify music platform, Kindly follow the link below to stream and download;

https://open.spotify.com/album/6m1Fu5abbZjQBI1Qn1bGLg?si=1AAZj0L6TjSSLBNZVR1QmQ

Here's a sneak peak of our song Becoming One. We invite you to listen to the full song by clicking on the link in our bio @aura.band.music or by copy pasting this link: https://youtu.be/gCfrEt96ufA It's a calling for oneness and a search for truth 🦋 It's a music video we've created using images animated by George RedHawk. Hope you like it and if you do it'd be fantastic if you could share it with your friends 🙏🏼 Subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay tuned for upcoming news 🎈🎶 #musiciansband #singersofinstagram #vocalist #musicabarcelona #singersongwriter #indiefolk #folkpop #artpop #worldmusic #barcelonaband #barcelonamusic #becomingone #oneness #mindfulness #spirituality #spiritmusic #auraband #camilaaura #searchforthetruth #georgeredhawk #newage #newagemusic #yogamusic #musicians #musically #musicalhealing #newband #newartist #openheart https://www.instagram.com/p/BwrzxEVB2k0/?igshid=duo1hytgwdop

Celebrating the birthday of @bobmarley tonight for @sofarnyc! With @callmevelez @boogie_mystic_ @213sr @erikrabasca #legend #reggae #rootsmusic #activistmusic #spiritmusic #lightwarriors #lightwarriorsmusic (at Williamsburg, Brooklyn) https://www.instagram.com/p/Btjd5RchOkG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1glerefbzlhc7