Much of the well-deserved attention for 'Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace', the debut solo album by Shabaka, was about his forsaking the earthy saxophone for the transcendental qualities of the flute. This choice serves as a metaphor for the album's exploration of identity and artistic transformation, allowing Shabaka to express a new dimension of his creativity while offering a fresh perspective on jazz that transcends traditional boundaries.
What 'Perceive Its Beauty...' did give us other than the flute was an intensely worked, intricately structured series of largely meditative, downtempo tunes - some using spoken or sung words, and some not - and a lyrical subtext dealing with, among other things, the meaning of blackness in contemporary society. The album refuses to offer immediate gratification, instead inviting listeners to embrace its complexities and uncover its deeper meanings over time.
Shabaka, who is now 40 years old and a veteran of several bands and projects over the last 20 years, has achieved worldwide stardom. His collaborations with leading jazz figures and impactful live performances, most notably at the Hollywood Bowl, establish him as a major force in contemporary jazz, able to bridge the gap between genres and audiences while earning respect on an international stage.
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