The Continuum (album) explained

The Continuum
Type:studio
Artist:Ethnic Heritage Ensemble
Cover:The_continuum_EHE_cover.jpeg
Released:1997
Recorded:March 1 & 2, 1997
Studio:Riverside Studio, Chicago
Genre:Jazz
Length:63:58
Label:Delmark
Producer:Robert G. Koester, Steve Wagner
Chronology:Kahil El'Zabar
Prev Title:21st Century Union March
Prev Year:1997
Next Title:Jitterbug Junction
Next Year:1997

The Continuum is an album by Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, a jazz band formed by percussionist Kahil El'Zabar, who is joined by trombonist Joseph Bowie and two new members: saxophonist Ernest Dawkins, who replaces Ed Wilkerson, and percussionist 'Atu' Harold Murray. It was recorded in 1997 and released on Delmark.

Reception

In his review for AllMusic, Michael G. Nastos states "All the intensity of the EHE is here, but it has a quieter sonority, allowing more subtle shades to rise to the surface."

The Down Beat review by Jon Andrews notes "Replacing Ed Wilkerson in the ensemble, Dawkins has a tough act to follow, but he succeeds, bringing a lighter, exuberant sound on tenor and alto saxophones."[1]

In a double review for JazzTimes John Murph says "The result is an amazing tribal jazz record that could rival any drum & bass track, hands down. Despite the smoother fluidity, The Continuum also amounts to one of the EHE's funkiest and most accessible offerings of recent times."[2]

Track listing

All compositions by Kahil El'Zabar except as indicated

  1. "The Continuum" – 11:39
  2. "Well You Needn't" (Thelonious Monk) – 6:19
  3. "Ancestral Song" – 10:02
  4. "Ornette" – 11:47
  5. "From Whence We Came" – 8:39
  6. "Chatham Dirge" – 8:24
  7. "All Blues" (Miles Davis) – 7:08

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. Andrews, John. The Continuum review. Down Beat March 98: page 55. Print.
  2. Murph, John The Continuum review at JazzTimes