Esperanza

I picked this cd up on a whim. Thank God. REAL MUSIC!!! This CD has blown me away.All of my friends will be getting this one as a gift. Much thanks. Kudos to Ms. Esperanza Spalding. She has a very bright future in music. Keep up the great work.

I'm no musician and cetainly no jazz expert. I just love beautiful, interesting, melodious music. This album took my breath away. Every time that I listen to it, I hear something new that catches my ear. The album seems to be packed with talent, but that combination of voice and bass is something else altogether.

Ms Spalding is an incredible talent. She has been blessed with both an amazing musical ability and is already an accomplished college instructor. Take advantage of the opportunity to see her perform if she happens into your area.

I heard an NPR interview with Esparanza Spaulding on my way to work one morning and I knew immediately what to suggest as a Father's Day gift, (even though Father's Day was six weeks off and her self-titled album was not due to be released for three more weeks). When it arrived it did not disappoint. Her vocals (Ponta de Areia, Cuerpo y Alma--Body and Soul en espanol) are breathless ascents up the grand scale, all the while her inventive and imaginative bass line keeps the whole ensemble in motion. No less an authority than Paul Shaffer announced her appearance on the Late Show as the coolest act they had hosted since coming to CBS, and after she completed her set Dave Letterman topped him with, "This is the coolest act we have EVER had on our show!" Get this album! She delights in every respect. This young tiny woman can educate a whole generation in the genre of authentic jazz in world saturated by elevator approximations of the art form

A jazz CD thats not so much about technical virtuosity as it is feel, and the feeling is quite simply beautiful. Esperanza has the vocal skills to go down as one of the great jazz singers. The bass is great too. Beyond that, there's some tasty piano playing and a few songs with horns. The music stands on its own, doesn't need a lot of "production". Much respect to Esperanza for eschewing the possibly more profitable venues and plunging deep into the ocean of jazz! Hopefully she will be strong enough to stay true to the music *cough*JossStone*cough* If there's any fault to be found with this at all, its that the lyrics are a little high school journally- not bad though- we're not talking Dashboard Confessional or anything.

This would be a great intro CD for someone who hasn't listened to Jazz- goes down like whole milk! Highly recommended.