Emily's D+Evolution

Spalding, Esperanza
Concord Music Group, Inc.
Jazz | Mar 2016

Reviews

DJ Teddy Tesla
Reviewed 2016-04-10
Esperanza Emily Spalding (born October 18, 1984) is an American jazz bassist, cellist and singer, who draws upon many genres in her own compositions. Spalding was raised in Portland, Oregon and was a musical prodigy, playing violin in the Chamber Music Society of Oregon at age five. She was later both self-taught and trained on a number of instruments, including guitar and bass. Her proficiency earned her scholarships to Portland State University and the Berklee College of Music.

She’s really dope, with a lot of the below songs having jazzy mellowish verses with large epic choruses. Play anything.
FCCs: None
RIYL: Her old stuff, slightly abstract jazz, female singers, good music

1. Good Lava (3:37) - A lot of guitar, a lot of moving parts, very loud upbeat, sounds like a more organized version of some abstract jazz
2. Unconditional Love (3:45) - A lot smoother, prettier, more traditional esperanza. Gorgeous Vocals
3. Judas (4:10) - Softer, driven by a strong bass line. Really nice melody
4. Earth to Heaven (3:51) - Guitar makes a return here. Staccato and rock-esque chorus, but the verses are pretty smooth
5. One (3:14) - Starts off pretty, but eventually drops into an epic vibe, but gets a bit jazzier after. Alternates between these two vibes. My favorite track.
6. Rest in Pleasure (4:58) - Repeated vocal sample builds up before it breaks with a nice bassline. There’s some nice jazzier guitar going on in the background. Towards the end the song amps up with the introduction of a lot of louder elements. A lot of vocal trills throughout
7. Ebony and Ivy (4:22) - Starts off with two voices sing/chanting. The actual song has some nice guitar and a jazzy feel, with a slightly more aggressive chorus
8. Noble Nobles (3:33) - Chill. Laid Back. Savage.
9. Farewell Dolly (2:07) - Pretty mellow backing instruments, just a bass and some drums
10. Elevate or Operate (4:02) - A lot of drums, guitar, crashing symbols to start. Jazzy drums though. Pretty jazzy overall.
11. Funk the Fear (5:06) - Distorted guitars and chanting to start. Even the normal guitar riffs after have a haunting vibe. The chants make a return
12. I Want It Now (2:50) - Basic, creepy sounding organ is the foundation of this song. There’s also a loud scream in the middle. Not too crazy about this one.

Recent airplay

Good Lava
ModernTekNewsJul 15, 2024
Rest In Pleasure
Music CasseroleMar 12, 2022
Rest In Pleasure
Music CasseroleJan 01, 2022
Earth To Heaven
Rest In Pleasure
Rest In Pleasure

Charting

2016-04-18 — 2016-06-19 Jazz
Week EndingAirplays
Jun 19 3
Jun 12 3
Jun 5 2
May 29 4
May 22 4
May 15 5
May 8 4
May 1 7

Track listing

1. Good Lava
2. Unconditional Love
3. Judas
4. Earth To Heaven
5. One
6. Rest In Pleasure
7. Ebony And Ivy
8. Noble Nobles
9. Farewell Dolly
10. Elevate Or Operate
11. Funk The Fear
12. I Want It Now