2011 Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding is joy personified!!. Sing it girl. She rocks us through as we still mourn Michael Jacksons passing. We are thus blessed to have Esperanza and still have Stevie too. The arrangements on this Radio Music Society beginning with Radio Song display all the best of Motown, Jazz, Funk and Soul music of the last 40 years. Hallelujah.!!!! Why is it some industry folks were so surprised that she got the Grammy for best new artist in 2011? Haters will hate, but Esperanza will keep doing her thing much to our delight and amazement.
Her talent and natural star power fuel this, her fourth studio production. She is backed by a star studded crew that features tenor master Joe Lovano, guitar giants Lee Johnson, Leni Stern and Lionel Loueke, Keyboardist Leo Genovese, drummers Terri Lyne Carrington, Jack DeJohnette and Billy Hart along with stellar vocalists Algebra Blessett, Lalah Hathaway, Gretchen Parlato, and Becca Stevens; hip-hop titan Q-Tip lends his talents, co-producing two tracks. Also including Portland-based artists, Janice Scroggins and Dr. Thara Memory on this instant classic. Dr. Thara Memorys horn arrangements sing like that of 70’s Crusaders productions also reminiscent of Patrice Rushings work.
The repertoire highlighted on this CD consists of a carefully selected collection of originals by Esperanza and her collaborators as well as suprising favorites like Wayne Shorters Endangerd Species featuring an amazing arrangement featuring traditional African instruments and a funky bari sax doubling the tell tale bass riff that makes this a Wayne Shorter classic. Esperanza owns it now. The vocal arrangement is pure inspired vocalese.
Visual treatments like Black Gold and Cinnamon Tree are beautifully soulful pictures painted by the elegant brush that is her golden voice. Esperanza Spalding is a brilliant artist whose gifts are a force for positive uplifting change bestowed upon all those who listen to these elegantly crafted songs. Truly representative of the music so many of us from so many different places grew up on and are so grateful for making memories in it’s presence.
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For More Information Visit:
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http://www.esperanzaspalding.com
