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Esperanza Spalding's fourth album, Radio Music Society (a companion piece to Chamber Music Society in name only) is one of enormous ambition -- polished production, sophisticated, busy charts, and classy songwriting -- that consciously juxtaposes neo-soul and adult-oriented jazz-tinged pop. It employs a stellar cast, largely of jazz musicians, to pull it off. She produced the set, with help from Q-Tip on a couple of numbers, and wrote all but two songs here: a cover of "I Can't Help It" (a Michael Jackson cover written by Stevie Wonder) and Wayne Shorter's "Endangered Species." There are truckloads of players, including three different all-star drummers in Terri Lyne Carrington, Jack DeJohnette, and Billy Hart, saxophonist Joe Lovano, and guitarists Jef Lee Johnson and Lionel Loueke on "Black Gold" (which also contains his vocals and an appearance by the Savannah Children's Choir). Though Ms. Spalding takes most lead vocals, there are also duet appearances from Lalah Hathaway and Algebra Blessett. Backing vocalists include Gretchen Parlato (who also anchors a chorus on several tunes) and Leni Stern. The American Music Program horn section appears on three cuts. The highlights here include "Crowned & Kissed" (a Q-Tip co-production) with its rubbery bassline, contrapuntal horns, Leo Genovese's artful pianism, and Carrington's impeccable sense of swing that bridges funk, neo-soul, jazz, and hip-hop. "Radio Song" contains layered interpolated rhythms (again courtesy of Carrington), sparkling Rhodes piano, syncopated horns and backing chorus, Spalding's alto croon, and a taut, popping bassline. Lovano's saxophone adds a truly elegant and graceful dimension to "I Can't Help It." The charts on Shorter's tune (with lyrics by Spalding) illuminate what may have been the composer's intent all along -- and nod at Pastorius-era Weather Report simultaneously. DeJohnette's funky subtlety drives the knotty fingerpop of "Let Her," and Hart's trademark, shimmering cymbal work on "Hold on Me" complements Spalding's sultry vocal in retro bluesy pop -- it's one of only a couple of places on the record where she plays acoustic bass. While Radio Music Society may play better to younger pop audiences than more die-hard jazzheads, this program is so diverse and well executed -- despite a little overreaching -- it's anybody's guess.
© Thom Jurek /TiVo
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Darren Barrett, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Jamey Haddad, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Justin Brown, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Esperanza Spalding, Producer, Vocals, Electric Bass, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gretchen Parlato, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Hampton, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Terri Lyne Carrington, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Leo Genovese, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Turner, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Renato Caranto, Alto Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Stan Bock, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Becca Stevens, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Daniel Blake, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Galindo, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Nicole Glover, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Stanley Mathabane, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Brewster, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Kyle Zimmerman, Alto Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Stalnaker, Bass Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Rathbone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Benjamin G. McDonald, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Kiran Bosley, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Darren Barrett, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Jef Lee Johnson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Esperanza Spalding, Producer, Vocals, Electric Bass, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Terri Lyne Carrington, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Leo Genovese, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jody Redhage, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Daniel Blake, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Olivia De Prato, Violin, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Algebra Blessett, ComposerLyricist - Darren Barrett, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Erik Zobler, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Q-Tip, Producer, Co-Producer - Esperanza Spalding, Producer, Vocals, Electric Bass, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Terri Lyne Carrington, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Leo Genovese, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Daniel Blake, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Galindo, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
JAMES WEIDMAN, Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Esperanza Spalding, Producer, Vocals, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Algebra Blessett, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lionel Loueke, Guitar, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Angry, Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Esperanza Spalding, Producer, Vocals, Electric Bass, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Corey King, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Tivon Pennicott, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Savannah Children's Choir, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ingmar Thomas, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Stevie Wonder, ComposerLyricist - Joe Lovano, Tenor Saxophone, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Justin Brown, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Esperanza Spalding, Producer, Vocals, Electric Bass, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Gretchen Parlato, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Leo Genovese, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Susaye Coton Greene, ComposerLyricist - Becca Stevens, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ricardo Vogt, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Lyndon Rochelle, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Billy Hart, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Esperanza Spalding, Producer, Vocals, Upright Bass, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Javier Nero, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - John Carey, Alto Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Noah Conrad, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Nicole Glover, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Tree Palmedo, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Janice Scroggins, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Garner, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Noah Hocker, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Olson, Alto Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Kama Bell, Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Rathbone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Warming, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Jack DeJohnette, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Esperanza Spalding, Producer, Vocals, Upright Bass, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Leo Genovese, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Ricardo Vogt, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Daniel Blake, Flute, Soprano Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Galindo, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Lalah Hathaway, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Darren Barrett, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Wayne Shorter, ComposerLyricist - Jef Lee Johnson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Esperanza Spalding, Producer, Vocals, Electric Bass, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Terri Lyne Carrington, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Leo Genovese, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Joseph Vitarelli, ComposerLyricist - Daniel Blake, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Darren Barrett, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Jack DeJohnette, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Leni Stern, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Esperanza Spalding, Producer, Vocals, Electric Bass, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gretchen Parlato, Spoken Word, AssociatedPerformer - Leo Genovese, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Ricardo Vogt, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Daniel Blake, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Galindo, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Raydar Ellis, Spoken Word, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Q-Tip, Producer, Percussion, Co-Producer, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Esperanza Spalding, Producer, Vocals, Upright Bass, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Terri Lyne Carrington, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Leo Genovese, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Javier Nero, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - John Carey, Alto Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Noah Conrad, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Stanley Mathabane, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Garner, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Anthony Diamond, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Noah Hocker, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Aaron Reihs, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Kama Bell, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Rathbone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Seachrist, Alto Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Hayden Conrad, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Ashton Summers, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Benjamin Seachrist, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Darren Barrett, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Jack DeJohnette, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Esperanza Spalding, Producer, Vocals, Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Leo Genovese, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Galindo, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Gilad Hekelsman, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Joe Lovano, FeaturedArtist - Norman Mapp, ComposerLyricist - Esperanza Spalding, Vocals, Upright Bass, Electric Bass, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Album review
Esperanza Spalding's fourth album, Radio Music Society (a companion piece to Chamber Music Society in name only) is one of enormous ambition -- polished production, sophisticated, busy charts, and classy songwriting -- that consciously juxtaposes neo-soul and adult-oriented jazz-tinged pop. It employs a stellar cast, largely of jazz musicians, to pull it off. She produced the set, with help from Q-Tip on a couple of numbers, and wrote all but two songs here: a cover of "I Can't Help It" (a Michael Jackson cover written by Stevie Wonder) and Wayne Shorter's "Endangered Species." There are truckloads of players, including three different all-star drummers in Terri Lyne Carrington, Jack DeJohnette, and Billy Hart, saxophonist Joe Lovano, and guitarists Jef Lee Johnson and Lionel Loueke on "Black Gold" (which also contains his vocals and an appearance by the Savannah Children's Choir). Though Ms. Spalding takes most lead vocals, there are also duet appearances from Lalah Hathaway and Algebra Blessett. Backing vocalists include Gretchen Parlato (who also anchors a chorus on several tunes) and Leni Stern. The American Music Program horn section appears on three cuts. The highlights here include "Crowned & Kissed" (a Q-Tip co-production) with its rubbery bassline, contrapuntal horns, Leo Genovese's artful pianism, and Carrington's impeccable sense of swing that bridges funk, neo-soul, jazz, and hip-hop. "Radio Song" contains layered interpolated rhythms (again courtesy of Carrington), sparkling Rhodes piano, syncopated horns and backing chorus, Spalding's alto croon, and a taut, popping bassline. Lovano's saxophone adds a truly elegant and graceful dimension to "I Can't Help It." The charts on Shorter's tune (with lyrics by Spalding) illuminate what may have been the composer's intent all along -- and nod at Pastorius-era Weather Report simultaneously. DeJohnette's funky subtlety drives the knotty fingerpop of "Let Her," and Hart's trademark, shimmering cymbal work on "Hold on Me" complements Spalding's sultry vocal in retro bluesy pop -- it's one of only a couple of places on the record where she plays acoustic bass. While Radio Music Society may play better to younger pop audiences than more die-hard jazzheads, this program is so diverse and well executed -- despite a little overreaching -- it's anybody's guess.
© Thom Jurek /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 01:01:24
- Main artists: Esperanza Spalding
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Craft Recordings
- Genre: Jazz
© 2022 Craft Recordings. ℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
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