Personnel:
Esperanza Spalding (b, vcl), Aruán Ortiz (p), Francisco Mela (d)
Reference: AVLP 036
Bar code: 8427328883962
GRAMMY Award Winner 2011 Best New
Artist Esperanza Spalding's recording debut.
Certainly her jazzier work to date.
Now in Limited Edition vinyl pressing
Audiophile Grade 180 Gram HQ Vinyl
Esperanza Spalding's first recording project, the nine-track Junjo includes original works by Esperanza, pianist Ortiz and drummer Mela in addition to handpicked classics by Brazilian composer Egberto Gismonti (Loro), Jimmy Rowles (The Peacocks), and Chick Corea (Humpty Dumpty).
On Loro, her vocalese licks are an album highlight, approximating the bopinfluenced solo line that in another setting might be covered by a trumpet or sax. On the title tune, she scats rapid-fire in unison with Ortizs piano line. Cantora de Yala is a special treat; Esperanza sings in Spanish, her sole accompaniment her own supple bass playing.
The highly simpatico and relaxed mood that pervades Junjo produces highly focused and keenly perceptive performances by all three trio members and results in a particularly revealing insight into the many talents of the albums gifted young leader.
"It's bouncy and jumpy and of the moment, she says of the recording. I never knew what the other members are going to come up with, and I always had to be very conscious of constantly exchanging and bouncing ideas off of one another."
—Esperanza Spalding
