Esperanza 2008 Heads Up International
Much like Rock and Blues, Jazz has become highly saturated and bland, filled to the brim with lackluster compositions and shameless imitators. But as time goes on, and the genre itself begins to bloat, shining diamonds can rise to the top. Esperanza Spalding has risen indeed and all, Jazz aficionados of not, would do well to listen.
At 24 years old, her ability on the bass already matches and overcomes most seasoned players but that alone is not enough. Her voice is strong and commanding but also youthful and optimistic and it cuts through her mobile bass lines with melodies that are both memorably jovial and uniquely innovative.
Each song delivers a divergent style starting with the super-cool of "I Know You Know," the sultry swagger of "Fall In," and the samba flavors of "I Adore You," which features a brilliant scat and bass solo that shames most of what is attempted by even masters of the genre. The one weakness that is readily apparent to me is the beginning of the final third of the album which at times descends into uninspired jazz jamming which in of no interest to me but it is but only a small part of a greater whole and rather than rely on Jazz alone, she draws upon flamenco and Latin influences to bring the songs to a glorious new level. It has been done before to be sure, but in her hopeful exuberance becomes something entirely new. Her backing band is superb, all playing their parts with the same joy as she, abandoning all jaded pretenses and drawing perfectly upon that which radiates from her. She is magnetic is song and personality and it would seem that the Jazz world could look to her a a focal point, a rallying cry to rejuvenate the spirit of innovation that once permeated it.
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