Over the last few years, Shabaka Hutchings has slowly begun to establish himself as one of the most important and necessary figures in music today. Everything about him is exciting. From his work in Sons of Kemet to The Comet Is Coming to Shabaka and the Ancestors, he’s always revolutionizing himself. Shabaka isn’t your typical jazz musician. He discards labels, combining genre after genre into something new every time. On the Shabaka and the Ancestors project, he enlists the help of South African artists to create an Afro-Jazz sound meshed together with the futuruistic sounds of space-jazz.
Shabaka is inherently political: his music often critiques the flaws of capitalism, imperialism, and white supremacy. We Are Sent Here By History is no different. Taking on themes like misogyny, vulnerability, and destruction, this album balances its emotions well. Despite the rage and a desire to destroy the system that’s upheld, there’s also the desire to think to the future and create. Coming from a long lineage in culture and history, the music takes influences from the past while simultaneously looking into the future. Full of energy and with a frantic tone throughout, it feels as if We Are Sent Here by History serves as a warning to avoid repeating our past mistakes. Even the title comes full circle from past to future.
A little more subdued than previous works, this album still brings in the ambition that Shabaka is renowned for. Despite a lack of flair from Shabaka (no synths this time around), the album still feels like a unique product. A thick atmosphere pervades the sense of urgency from the horns, allowing us to feel the apocalyptic nature of each song. Deeply layered and complex, the instruments all work in tandem to provide richly textured sound. A bit more experimental than their first album, We Are Sent Here By History brings a nice change of pace and excitement. While this entry in Shabaka’s illustrious career might not reach the same performative or technical heights as his previous work, it nonetheless remains an impressive addition to his diverse catalog. Certainly, it’s not the most complex jazz album we’ve heard in recent years but the band manages to always play emotively and allows listeners to feel the message behind every song.
Must Listens: “The Coming of The Strange Ones”, “Behold, The Deceiver”, “Run, The Darkness Will Pass”
