REVIEW Esperanza Spalding's "Chamber Music Society"

Tuesday August 03, 2010

from All About Jazz

By Ernest Barteldes

On the opening track of her much-lauded, self-titled major label debut, Esperanza (Heads Up, 2008 ), bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding covered Milton Nascimento’s timeless gem, “Ponta de Areia.” Rather than covering another of the singer/composer’s tunes on Chamber Music Society, Spalding recruits Nascimento to perform on her own “Apple Blossoms.” It’s but one example of a highly intriguing set that blends her classical training with jazz, pop and soul tendencies.

This might seem to be a risky endeavor, but not for Spalding, who not only keeps an open mind, but a radar-like ear that is able to absorb many sonic influences and still make them her own.

Evidence of this is “Winter Sun,” another original composition that has elements of soul and jazz without too many complications. Here, she is supported solely by her trio and some multilayered backing vocals, before taking an unexpected bass solo that comes just as the tune might have headed in a pop direction. Her cover of Antonio Carlos Jobim/Aloysio de Oliveira’s “Inutil Paisagem” (known in English as “If You Never Come To Me”) goes far away from the beaches of Rio; instead, there is a classically-inspired duet between Spalding and vocalist Gretchen Parlato, who perform in both English and Portuguese, backed solely by the bandleader’s bass.

To read the full review click here

Radio Song (clip)	1:01	Esperanza Spalding
Black Gold	5:17	Esperanza Spalding

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Watch what's on

*Radio Music Society Trailer
Esperanza Spalding at the Oscars
Black Gold
Esperanza Spalding at the Nobel Prize Ceremony

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