Be Known: Ancient Future Music CD

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".