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2018 · Album

The Choice

↑ Kamasi Washington

Released: 2018 (companion to Heaven and Earth, released June 22, 2018) · Format: Extended play · Album type: Companion EP to fourth studio album
The Choice

Companion Piece, Clarifying Statement

The Choice arrives as Washington's answer to a question Heaven and Earth posed.

The Choice came out as a companion to Heaven and Earth (2018), Washington's fourth studio album. This is important context because it tells you something about how Washington was thinking at that moment in his career — not as a separate artistic statement but as something that needed to exist alongside the larger work, something that clarifies or extends it.

By this point, Washington had built a reputation for ambitious, orchestra-scaled projects. Heaven and Earth (2018) itself was a sprawling double album, the kind of record that demands attention and rewards patience. The Choice, arriving as an EP, operates differently. It's more contained, more focused. Where the parent album unfolds across two discs, The Choice is precise. This is Washington distilling rather than expanding, which can be more revealing than you might expect. An extended play in the shadow of a double album isn't a lesser thing — it's often where an artist clarifies what they were really after.

This sits somewhere in the middle of Washington's trajectory — not an early statement that defined his voice, not a late-career reconsideration. It's working material, a piece of a moment. If you're already committed to Washington's work, The Choice fills in texture. If you're new to him, start with Heaven and Earth (2018) first. This EP makes more sense once you understand what it's responding to.

Who's playing
Miles Mosleydouble bass
Dominic Theriouxdouble bass
Amber Joy Wymanbassoon
Cameron Gravespiano
Kamasi Washingtontenor saxophone
Dontae Winslowtrumpet
Chris Graytrumpet
Ryan Portertrombone
Rickey Washingtonflute
Brandon Colemanorgan
Tony Austindrums
Ronald Bruner Jr.drums
Chris Davedrums
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
Listen next
By Kamasi Washington
The Epic 2015
More Spiritual Jazz
When the World Was One 2014
Matthew Halsall
Recording Info
Track listing
1The Secret of Jinsinson8:07
2Will You Love Me Tomorrow9:40
3My Family6:35
4Agents of the Multiverse5:22
5Ooh Child8:53
Musicians
Further Reading
Read more

Where next?

More by Kamasi Washington
The Epic 2015
Heaven and Earth 2018
Harmony of Difference 2017
Fearless Movement 2024
All 12 albums →
More Spiritual Jazz
When the World Was One 2014
Matthew Halsall
Promises 2020
Pharoah Sanders
You’re Dead! 2014
Flying Lotus
Voices of Bishara 2022
Tom Skinner
All 68 Spiritual Jazz artists →

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