Shabaka Hutchings has returned with Possession, a stunning 2024 EP that further solidifies his journey away from the saxophone and into new realms. Featuring an array of collaborators, including billy woods, André 3000, E L U C I D, Esperanza Spalding, and Nduduzo Makhathini, the five-track release is a bold exploration of ambient jazz infused with spoken word, rap, and Shabaka’s signature flute-driven compositions. It serves as a companion piece to Pierce It’s Beauty, Acknowledge It’s Grace.

The EP opens with Timepieces, a haunting collaboration with billy woods. The dark, brooding instrumental feels like being enveloped in a gauzy veil, disoriented yet mesmerized by shapes and shadows barely visible through the haze. Shabaka’s flute provides a spectral backdrop, swelling and receding as woods delivers a blistering 90-second verse. His storytelling is visceral, weaving themes of love, loss, and memory with lines like, “Sometimes it’s been six months, sometimes years, but there’s love there.” The instrumental never overpowers his delivery, instead amplifying the weight of his words, making this a gripping opener. From there, the EP shifts to lighter terrain with I’ve Been Listening, featuring E L U C I D. This track’s ethereal atmosphere is carried by a harp that shimmers like sunlight through clouds. E L U C I D’s gentle refrain, “I’ve been listening, I can feel it all over,” feels meditative, merging seamlessly with the layered production. The song gradually dissolves into wind chimes that fade into silence, showcasing Shabaka’s remarkable ability to let each instrument shine without overshadowing the vocals.

Esperanza Spalding’s appearance on Cycles of Growth brings a delicate, wordless vocal performance that merges with the ambient jazz textures. Her voice becomes another instrument, complementing Shabaka’s flute and emphasizing the EP’s meditative quality. The centerpiece of the project is To The Moon, an eight-minute epic featuring André 3000. Shabaka creates a sweeping, cinematic soundscape anchored by wind instruments, with André’s flute intertwining beautifully with Shabaka’s. The interplay between the two feels like the threads of a dreamcatcher, delicate yet intentional. It’s a standout track, not just for the EP but for André’s ongoing musical evolution, showcasing how his artistry continues to flourish in unconventional and imaginative spaces.

Possession is a masterclass in balancing collaboration and composition. Shabaka gives each featured artist and instrument their moment, creating a cohesive work that never feels overcrowded. His shift from saxophone to flute continues to pay off, pushing the boundaries of modern jazz while inviting listeners into a contemplative and expansive sonic playground.

order Possession by Shabaka Hutchings HERE