The Continuum is an album by Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, a jazz band formed by percussionist Kahil El'Zabar, who is joined by trombonist Joseph Bowie and two new members: saxophonist Ernest Dawkins, who replaces Ed Wilkerson, and percussionist 'Atu' Harold Murray. It was recorded in 1997 and released on Delmark.

The Continuum
Studio album by Ethnic Heritage Ensemble
Released	1997
Recorded	March 1 & 2, 1997
Studio	Riverside Studio, Chicago
Genre	Jazz
Length	63:58
Label	Delmark
Producer	Robert G. Koester, Steve Wagner
Kahil El'Zabar chronology
21st Century Union March (1997) The Continuum (1997) Jitterbug Junction (1997)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Down Beat	[2]

In his review for AllMusic, Michael G. Nastos states "All the intensity of the EHE is here, but it has a quieter sonority, allowing more subtle shades to rise to the surface."[1]

The Down Beat review by Jon Andrews notes "Replacing Ed Wilkerson in the ensemble, Dawkins has a tough act to follow, but he succeeds, bringing a lighter, exuberant sound on tenor and alto saxophones."[2]

In a double review for JazzTimes John Murph says "The result is an amazing tribal jazz record that could rival any drum & bass track, hands down. Despite the smoother fluidity, The Continuum also amounts to one of the EHE's funkiest and most accessible offerings of recent times."[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Kahil El'Zabar except as indicated

1. "The Continuum" – 11:39
2. "Well You Needn't" (Thelonious Monk) – 6:19
3. "Ancestral Song" – 10:02
4. "Ornette" – 11:47
5. "From Whence We Came" – 8:39
6. "Chatham Dirge" – 8:24
7. "All Blues" (Miles Davis) – 7:08

Personnel

• Kahil El'Zabar – drums, percussion, African thumb piano, voice
• Joseph Bowie – trombone, percussion
• Ernest Dawkins – tenor sax, alto sax, percussion
• 'Atu' Harold Murray – percussion, voice on 1

References