Thank God for performers like Esperanza Spalding—well-honed, masterful musicians confidently exploring new musical ground. Ms. Spalding’s new album, Emily’s D+Evolution on Concord Records is soulful, heavy, jazzy, melodic, proggy, challenging, and sure—let’s just say—kinda psychedelic. The vinyl copy this reviewer received was flat and mostly quiet.
Many tracks on the album are basically flawless (“Elevate or Operate” is a song in a league of its own)—heavyweight musicianship supports Spalding’s melodies and compositions. But, things move so fast! Many times I found myself saying out loud (to nobody, of course), “what was that?” Before I could catch that lyric, chord change, or musical phrase, it was long gone; part of me yearned for the pace of the record to just slow down—there’s so much good here, but it goes by in a flash, almost rushed. Repeated, close, listening allows a listener to fully immerse themselves in and appreciate this work.
Producer Tony Visconti wisely allows Spalding and her crew do their thing—most songs sport a tightly knit guitar, drum, and bass arrangement, albeit with intensive vocal supports. Playing is superb, Spalding is, as you know, a standout bassist, but she doesn’t let her bass playing steal the show—she wants you to appreciate these compositions and arrangements. Even though the personnel is barebones, there is still occasionally the feeling that things might go off the rails. The digital guitar effects and busy rhythm section of “Rest in Pleasure” are exciting, but nearly overwhelm.