A Wider Embrace

Blending Ghanaian folk music with groove and jazz elements, saxophonist Trevor Watts and bassist Colin McKenzie join a group of multitalented drummers for one of ECM’s smoothest crossovers. From the first hit of “Egugu,” singing is clearly the medium and the message of this magical meeting. Most impressive of all is how Watts treats his band as no mere launching pad for improvisational vessels of flight. Rather, he integrates himself into its architecture until he is indistinguishable from the whole. Shades of funk keep the head nodding throughout. The recording is superb to boot.