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.

The Continuum
Studio album by
Released1997
RecordedMarch 1 & 2, 1997
StudioRiverside Studio, Chicago
GenreJazz
Length63:58
LabelDelmark
ProducerRobert G. Koester, Steve Wagner
Kahil El'Zabar chronology
21st Century Union March
(1997)
The Continuum
(1997)
Jitterbug Junction
(1997)

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [1]
Down Beat     [2]

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."[1]

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."[2]

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."[3]

Track listing

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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

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References

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  1. ^ a b Nastos, Michael G.. Ethnic Heritage Ensemble – The Continuum: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Andrews, John. The Continuum review. Down Beat March 98: page 55. Print.
  3. ^ Murph, John The Continuum review at JazzTimes