Spalding, Esperanza
Heads Up, 2012, CD
Instrument: Guitar
Issue: 18.1
Jazz Ruler Type: funk
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: Esperanza Spalding is the young bassist, vocalist and professor who has taken the music world by storm. After her last effort Chamber Music Society infused chamber music with jazz, we weren’t sure what to expect here. The opener “Radio Song” is a funky track that is true to the title and sets to mood for the session. Spalding adds silky soft vocals into the music anchored by punchy bass lines throughout. The music is layered and again brings a contrast in genres though it has a more contemporary overall groove. She gets poetic on “Land of the Free” before dropping soul into “Black Gold” then doing “I Can’t Help It” her way. Once again Esperanza has a hit on her hands with a fresh sound that is immediately embraceable.
Publicist: Telarc Jazz
