Kamasi Washington, the Grammy-nominated jazz legend, has ventured into the world of anime by composing the soundtrack for Shinichirō Watanabe's new series Lazarus. This collaboration marks a unique fusion of jazz and anime, with Washington drawing inspiration from his own love of anime and Watanabe's previous works.

Washington's involvement in the project came about due to Watanabe's admiration for his music. The anime director, known for his work on Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, wanted Washington to trust his musical instincts and create a soundtrack that would stand on its own, rather than simply providing background music for the series. This approach allowed Washington to craft a cohesive album that captures the essence of Lazarus.

The series, which follows a misfit team's fight to save humanity from extinction, presented Washington with a unique challenge. He had to evoke feelings of existential dread, hopelessness, and dark exhilaration, while also creating music that would amplify the emotional and visual strength of Watanabe's storytelling. Washington achieved this by focusing on building a soundtrack that would evoke feelings, rather than writing songs specifically tailored to individual scenes.

In an interview, Washington revealed that he was influenced by anime from a young age, citing shows like Macross Plus, Ninja Scroll, and Dragon Ball Z as favorites. He also credited Cowboy Bebop with informing his musical style, which made the collaboration with Watanabe a natural fit. Washington's soundtrack for Lazarus features a mix of jazz, hip-hop, and electronic elements, with horns and choral singing playing a significant role in creating a sense of scale and bigness.

The soundtrack's lead track, "Vortex," was chosen by Watanabe as the series' theme, although Washington had initially thought "Lazarus" would be the main theme. The song's energy and sense of falling perfectly capture the quirky and disorienting nature of the series' characters. Other tracks, such as "Sageness" and "Lie In Memory," feature choral singing that evokes spirits and griots, adding to the soundtrack's emotional depth.

The collaboration between Washington and Watanabe is a testament to the power of music and anime to come together and create something unique and captivating. With Lazarus, Washington has pushed the boundaries of jazz and anime, creating a soundtrack that is both a standalone album and an integral part of the series' narrative.

As the anime industry continues to evolve, collaborations like this one are likely to become more common. The fusion of jazz and anime has opened up new possibilities for storytelling and music, and Washington's work on Lazarus is a prime example of the exciting possibilities that can emerge from such collaborations.