Kamasi Washington Releases “Fearless Movement” with Miles Mosley, Thundercat, and Ben Williams

Jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington has returned with his fifth studio album, Fearless Movement, which he refers to as his dance album, though it’s not literal.

“Dance is movement and expression, and in a way it’s the same thing as music—expressing your spirit through your body,” he explains. “That’s what this album is pushing.”

The record also presents new themes for Washington. His previous efforts, including his masterful The Epic, dealt with cosmic and existential ideas. Washington’s new focus is on “the everyday, an exploration of life on earth,” which is due in part to his becoming a father.

“Being a father means the horizon of your life all of a sudden shows up,” says Washington. “My mortality became more apparent to me, but also my immortality—realizing that my daughter is going to live on and see things that I’m never going to see. I had to become comfortable with this, and that affected the music that I was making.”

As always, Washington surrounded himself with incredible musicians with the core of the West Coast Getdown collective on hand. Longtime collaborator Miles Mosley anchors the majority of Fearless Movement.

“Congratulations to the homie Kamasi Washington on releasing another beautiful statement into the infinity,” he shared on Facebook. ” These albums come from magical places and require the focus and guardianship of many behind the scenes. i’m proud to be counted amongst the contributors, and can’t wait to dig into this music and spread it out on the road. Let’s ride.”

Check out Mosley with Washington during their Tonight Show performance of “The Garden Path”:

Fellow double bassist Ben Williams provided the low end on “Together,” while electric bassist Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner appears on “Asha the First” and “The Visionary.” The impressive guest list on the album includes André 3000, George Clinton, BJ the Chicago Kid, D Smoke, Taj and Ras Austin, Terrace Martin, Patrice Quinn, Brandon Coleman, DJ Battlecat and more.

Hear Thundercat (including a wild bass solo) and the Austins on “Asha the First:”

Fearless Movement is out now on CD, vinyl and as a digital download (Apple Music and Amazon MP3).

Mosley is currently on tour with Wshington and the crew. After two months in the US, they’ll take things to Europe in the fall.

Fearless Movement Track List:

1. Lesanu
2. Asha The First (featuring Thundercat, Taj Austin, Ras Austin)
3. Computer Love (featuring Patrice Quinn, DJ Battlecat, Brandon Coleman)
4. The Visionary (featuring Terrace Martin)
5. Get Lit (featuring George Clinton, D Smoke)
6. Dream State (featuring André 3000)
7. Together (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid)
8. The Garden Path
9. Interstellar Peace (The Last Stance)
10. Road to Self (KO)
11. Lines in the Sand
12. Prologue

Kamasi Washington 2024 Tour Dates: