Contemporary jazz torch-bearer Kamasi Washington has announced the coming release of his new double album, titled Heaven And Earth, slated for release on Friday, June 22nd. The album will mark Washington’s first release since his 2017 audiovisual concept EP Harmony of Difference and his first full-length effort since his sprawling 2015 effort, The Epic.
As Washington explains in his Facebook post announcing the new release:
I’m so happy to announce my latest full length project, a double album called Heaven and Earth! “The world that my mind lives in, lives in my mind.” This idea inspired me to make this album. The “Earth” side represents the world as I see it outwardly, the world that I am a part of. The “Heaven” side represents the world as I see it inwardly, the world that is a part of me. I put my heart and soul into this album and I can’t wait for you all to hear it!!!
In the hours since the initial announcement yesterday afternoon, Kamasi has shared a pair of tracks from the new release that give us an early sneak peek at his musical renderings of Heaven and Earth–making for a total of 20 minutes of new Kamasi to feast your ears on this morning.
The accompanying clips, each roughly one minute long, also give us a preview of the gorgeous, cinematic visuals that will come along with this new project. You can get a taste of the celestial beauty of “The Space Travelers Lullaby” (taken from Heaven), and the stark human urgency of “Fists of Fury” (taken from Earth) below via Kamasi Washington’s Facebook. You can also listen to the full audio of each track via Spotify.
Kamasi Washington – “The Space Travelers Lullaby” (Teaser)
Kamasi Washington – “The Space Traveler’s Lullaby” (Audio)
Kamasi Washington – “Fists of Fury” (Teaser)
Kamasi Washington – “Fists of Fury” (Audio)
Kamasi Washington will perform at both weekends the upcoming Coachella Music and Arts Festival this month. For a full list of Kamasi’s upcoming tour dates, head over to his website. You can see a full track list for Heaven and Earth below: