Even if Becoming isn’t a classic studio album by Kamasi Washington like his ambitious records The Epic and Heaven and Earth, it’s still a score that the saxophonist from Los Angeles makes truly his own. Composed to accompany Nadia Hallgren’s documentary about Michelle Obama’s tour to promote Becoming all over the US, this completely instrumental soundtrack fits with the polished, razor-sharp images of a 100% Netflix production. The Kamasi Washington sound, the orchestral approach and the pure melodies are all there; but the avant-gardist veils are balanced by a much more soulful, almost pop approach. It’s a bit like a slightly watered-down Kamasi, which is still very good if not brilliant, plus the more daring themes such as Provocation will be sure to satisfy the saxophonist's demanding fans... Becoming's production team obviously didn't choose the Californian by chance; he perfectly embodies the American dream under Obama’s presidency. He’s a young African-American activist who grew up in Inglewood, became a sideman for Snoop and Kendrick and ended up as a star of the international jazz scene... Despite the lack of risk-taking or lively improvisations, Kamasi Washington proves that even in a marked out and policed context he can still create his own sounds and stay true to himself. © Marc Zisman/Qobuz