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.
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