Music / The Epic

The Epic is the third studio album by American jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington, and his major label debut for Brainfeeder.

Released on May 5, 2015, it assisted in catapulting his name into mainstream circles after his appearance on Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly and demonstrates his mystical style of saxophone playing and his orchestral sense of composition.

Tracklist

Vol. I: The Plan

1. "Change of the Guard" (12:15)

2. "Askim" (12:34)

3. "Isabelle" (12:12)

4. "Final Thought" (6:31)

5. "The Next Step" (14:48)

6. "The Rhythm Changes" (7:45)

Vol. II: The Glorious Tale

1. "Miss Understanding" (8:46)

2. "Leroy and Lanisha" (9:24)

3. "Re Run" (8:19)

4. "Seven Prayers" (7:35)

5. "Henrietta Our Hero" (7:13)

6. "The Magnificent 7" (12:48)

Vol. III: The Historic Repetition

1. "Re Run Home" (14:06)

2. "Cherokee" (8:14)

3. "Clair de Lune" (11:07)

4. "Malcolm's Theme" (8:40)

5. "The Message" (11:11)

The Glorious Tropes

• Afrofuturism: This record established Kamasi as one of the genres main modern representatives.
• Cover Version: Although most of the album was written by Kamasi himself, the songs "Cherokee" and "Clair de Lune" are covers of a jazz standard and a Debussy suite, respectively.
• Deliberately Monochrome: The album cover.
• Epic Rocking: The album is over two hours with multiple tracks going over ten minutes.
• Ethereal Choir: Can be heard on most if not all of the tracks on the album. Adding to the supernatural, Sun Ra-esque vibe of the record.
• Face on the Cover: Kamasi holds his saxophone.
• Jazz: Of course.
• One-Woman Song / One-Man Song: "Isabelle," "Henrietta Our Hero," and "Malcolm's Theme." Combined with "Leroy and Lenisha."

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