2018 · Album
Heaven and Earth
Young Turks Recordings · Released: June 22, 2018 · Format: CD and LP include hidden bonus disc 'The Choice'; digital release of The Choice as separate LP on June 29, 2018
Sessions in the Round: Washington's Expansive Vision
Washington built Heaven and Earth as a conversation across registers and moods, refusing to settle into one lane.
Heaven and Earth arrived as Washington's fourth studio album, a deliberate expansion of what he'd already proven possible. By this point in his career, he'd earned real attention—the kind that comes from consistency and genuine risk. This album doesn't retreat into safety. Instead, it sprawls across longer forms and stranger harmonic territory, with pieces that breathe space instead of rushing toward resolution. The music moves between chamber-like intimacy and orchestral density, and Washington seems most interested in the moments where tension and release don't resolve predictably. Tracks build slowly, allowing individual voices to emerge and fade rather than dominating the mix. It's patient music, sometimes deliberately oblique. Not every listener will want to sit with it, but those who do find layers that don't reveal themselves on first hearing. The hidden bonus disc, The Choice, released separately weeks later, suggests Washington was thinking about how albums could surprise listeners even after they'd bought in. That kind of structural playfulness—packaging as part of the artistic statement—felt fresh in 2018, a subtle rejection of streaming's playlist mentality. The album received strong critical response, with listeners praising its ambition and refusal to repeat formulas. It's essential for anyone tracking Washington's arc, though not necessarily the best entry point. Start with The Epic (2015) first if you're new to him; then this one shows how far he'd pushed.
Who's playing
Miles Mosleydouble bass
Dominic Theriouxdouble bass
Amber Joy Wymanbassoon
Gabe Noelelectric bass guitar
Thundercatelectric bass guitar
Cameron Gravespiano
Jamael Deanpiano
Kamasi Washingtontenor saxophone
Terrace Martinalto saxophone
Dontae Winslowtrumpet
Ryan Portertrombone
Rickey Washingtonflute
Brandon Colemanorgan
Tony Austindrums
Ronald Bruner Jr.drums
Robert Millerdrums
Jonathan Pinsondrums
Kahlil Cummingspercussion
Allakoi Peetepercussion
Marc Bolintuba
Laura BrenesFrench horn
Caroline Buckmanviola
Paul Cartwrightviolin
Brittany Cottoviola
Yvette Devereauxviolin
Yvette Cornelia Holzwarthviolin
Chad Jacksonviola
Peter Jacobsoncello
Landon Jonesviola
Tom Leaviola
Rocio Marronviolin
Greg Martinoboe
Martinoviolin
Morgan Mataderoviola
Ginger Murphycello
Reiko Nakanoviolin
Molly Rogersviola
Amy SanchezFrench horn
Jen Simoneviolin
Ray Suenviolin
Tracy Wannomaeclarinet
Adrienne Woodscello
Where next?
More by Kamasi Washington
All 12 albums →
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
