Lately Esperanza Spalding seems to be in the business of doing things her fans don't expect. Considering the music of the more R&B-influenced Radio Music Society, her last album, Emily's D+Evolution, was a sharp left turn. Spalding had returned with a fantastic record that lies somewhere in whatever one would call an amalgamation of rock, pop and jazz fusion elements. The … [Read more...]
On Iverson on Glasper (Pause): Everyone Wants Everything, Even If It’s Different
This past summer, a friend of mine went off to the island of Mykonos for a few weeks of, well, let's just say it, some good ol' fun debauchery. The Mediterranean isle is kind of a gay paradise. I talked with another friend of mine at the time about the place, what he told me second-hand of the open culture there. I noted that it must be nice for these people to have a place of … [Read more...]
The Robert Glasper Experiment – “Find You” (Stream)
The Robert Glasper Experiment is back at it with the announcement of their newest LP ArtScience set to drop September 16th on Blue Note. But where do you go following two GRAMMY wins and numerous collaborations with the likes of Erykah Badu, Norah Jones and even Snoop Dogg? "You do you," says Glasper with a chuckle. "People need to hear what the Experiment sounds like, just … [Read more...]
Smells Like Teen Spirit: A Critical Analysis of Covers
Bringing outside influences into jazz and bringing jazz to other genres has been going on probably since there was a concept of jazz as a genre. Witness hip-hop and electronic producers sampling from jazz records and Robert Glasper playing J Dilla tunes. Witness David Bowie backed by a group of incredible jazz musicians, DJ Logic joining Medeski, Martin, and Wood, Miles Davis … [Read more...]
Robert Glasper Trio – “Stella By Starlight” (Video)
Pianist Robert Glasper has a new album about with a return to his trio of bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Damion Reid (some of whose work you can hear streaming for the next few days on my guest hosting of Rhythm Heads, including from the new Glasper album). Covered: The Robert Glasper Trio Recorded Live at Capitol Records takes on songs new and old with Glasper's signature … [Read more...]