Spiritmuse Vinilo y CD

Review: Founded in 1981, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble has been responsible for some sublime albums over the years. They built their reputation via a swathe of sets dedicated to free jazz and inspired improvisational workouts, but "Be Known: Ancient/Future/Music" is a little more structured and polished, with clear influences from spiritual jazz and African music. It's a blend that consistently produces impressive results, from the chant-along soul-jazz spirituality of "Be Known" and loose-limbed madness of "Blew It", to the tribal drums and soulful vocals of "Wish I Knew" and the slow-burn vibes of simmering late night cut "Ntozake".

Review: Percussionist Kahil El Zabar and tenor saxophonist David Murray have long been keen collaborators. Since laying down their first joint album in 1989, they've collaborated on countless recordings and live performances, each helping them carve a deeper and more distinactive niche within spiritual jazz. Their latest full-length excursion, "Spirit Jazz", may well be their best collective work to date. Joined by bassist Emma Dayhuff and keys-player Justin Dillard, the pair work their way through a septet of fresh compositions that combine the free-wheeling, intergalactic spirit of spiritual jazz with grooves and arrangements that are far more accessible than those offered up by their contemporaries. It's an alluring combination.