Wondered if anyone else had snapped up this record and were as perplexed as me? Having heard her live on two occasions I think she is a breath of fresh air and capable of attracting a new audience whilst offering a high contemporary version of jazz that compromises nothing to commerciality. Set aside the obvious glamour as I think she is a genuine talent and probably one of the most significant new figures to emerge in jazz over the last five years. Only an idiot would contest this view. If ever you want one young musician to succeed, it is Esperanza Spalding. I think this is why "Radio Music Society" is such a difficult one to judge.
Her album "Esperanza" was exceptional and demonstrated some gutsy writing and the kind of exuberance not really experience with jazz vocals since Tania Maria's best work in the 1980's. The new effort seems aimed at more air play but the melodies are not nearly so strong and her vocals steadfastly refusing to yield to any pop influences. There are moments where this record sounds like someone with Betty Carter's vocal style of refusing to compromise by singing the melody underpinned by Weather Report. Other tracks feature a big band yet eschews any traditions in this area. For me, Spalding is bravely setting her own agenda but the music is not catchy enough to be pop nor offers the potent and exciting blowing of "Esperanza." (Too pop for a jazz disc but way too spikey and abrasive for a popularist attempt.) Some of the tunes are quite knotty whereas a few eventually start to grate a little after a while. The cover of Shorter's "Endangered species" is pretty good but labours under some dodgy lyrics and the Stevie Wonder cover is great too but not quite as savvy as Gretchen parlato's version of the same tune. There are several notable names like Lionel Loeke and Jack DeJohnette in some of the line ups but they are pretty anonymous. Whilst a few horn players get to solo, Esperanza is the obvious star and this effort is entirely issued to demonstrate her considerable skills.
I've read some great reviews of this record yet, for me, it is a difficult CD to really love. quite as much as I did the earlier effort. I will be interested to hear how this material sounds like in a couple of weeks time.
Her album "Esperanza" was exceptional and demonstrated some gutsy writing and the kind of exuberance not really experience with jazz vocals since Tania Maria's best work in the 1980's. The new effort seems aimed at more air play but the melodies are not nearly so strong and her vocals steadfastly refusing to yield to any pop influences. There are moments where this record sounds like someone with Betty Carter's vocal style of refusing to compromise by singing the melody underpinned by Weather Report. Other tracks feature a big band yet eschews any traditions in this area. For me, Spalding is bravely setting her own agenda but the music is not catchy enough to be pop nor offers the potent and exciting blowing of "Esperanza." (Too pop for a jazz disc but way too spikey and abrasive for a popularist attempt.) Some of the tunes are quite knotty whereas a few eventually start to grate a little after a while. The cover of Shorter's "Endangered species" is pretty good but labours under some dodgy lyrics and the Stevie Wonder cover is great too but not quite as savvy as Gretchen parlato's version of the same tune. There are several notable names like Lionel Loeke and Jack DeJohnette in some of the line ups but they are pretty anonymous. Whilst a few horn players get to solo, Esperanza is the obvious star and this effort is entirely issued to demonstrate her considerable skills.
I've read some great reviews of this record yet, for me, it is a difficult CD to really love. quite as much as I did the earlier effort. I will be interested to hear how this material sounds like in a couple of weeks time.
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