At this point I'm convinced anything Shabaka Hutchings touches is going to have at least a hint of genius to it, and Wisdom of Elders is no different. The king of London jazz joins forces with some of South Africa's finest players to present a formidable suite of extended spiritual jams with an emphasis on group interplay and development. To me, this album feels like a reincarnation of Herbie Hancock's Mwandishi trilogy, albeit with a less afro-futurist approach. The collective improvisation here is nothing short of sublime, really shining in the 10+ minute cuts which gradually build towards some joyous climaxes and superb soloing. Shabaka himself does an excellent job of guiding the ensemble through these lengthier pieces, continually introducing new melodies and themes before taking center stage with primal blasts of noise. Give Thanks is an especially wild cut, restless percussion forming an ethereal foundation for some truly unrestrained playing from Hutchings.At times the inclusion of vocals can sound a bit awkward, but when everything falls into place they're remarkably affecting. For a modern jazz release, Wisdom of Elders seems far removed from its' contemporaries. It bridges cultures and musical styles with such elegance that present day comparisons feel inadequate, these guys have hit upon something special.From:vulcan24At:https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/shabaka-and-the-ancestors/wisdom-of-elders.p/