i had first heard of esperanza spalding either on of national radio p2's jazz programs or online, possibly on ameobas what's in my bag segment. i took a liking towards her music but i do have to say that her stature as female jazz bass player who sang beautifully as well worked as taking interest in her music.
she released an album in march and i have listened to parts of it and thought it was really good. i really liked a few songs (like "crowned & kissed", "hold on me", "let her" & "smile like that") on it but my eyes & ears kept focusing on the cover of michael jackson's classic "i can't help it".
the original of that was a song that i had missed completely when i rediscovered it through todd terje's rework. i thought i was fairly knowledgeable about jackos best songs since i grew up with a sister who loved and listened to jacksons music extensively. but terje brought it back in a big way and the hipsters and dancefloors payed attention when he did something that was simple as a 12" mix of the song.
esperanzas rendition keeps the quiet storm type r&b groove but takes a deeper look on the original's jazz roots. with versions of songs done by jazz musicians, there is always either a new arrangement or heavy/little improvisation and on this it's the former. it does it way with its peaks and valleys and goes in out of the original song on a few occasions.
there are a few reasons on which this version goes on par with the original and first of all it's spalding's bass playing, i would extend on that but she is brilliant at her instrument so it's goes without saying. secondly it's her brilliant vocal perfomance and the way she enunciates and her phrasing that is sort of minnie ripperton doing erykah badu.
thirdly is the vocal harmonies and ad libs that are spread out through the track and i really love the arrangement. especially the way it feels that it's going head into a deep blues and then you get musician punch to kick you right into the groove again.
buy here (7digital)
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