Junjo

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Junjo
Esperanza Spalding Junjo.jpg
Studio album by
Esperanza Spalding
Released2006, April 18
Recorded2005, April 6–7
StudioPBS Studios (Westwood, MA)
Genre Jazz
Length49:02
Label Ayva Musica
Producer Esperanza Spalding
Esperanza Spalding chronology
Junjo
(2006)		 Esperanza
(2008)

Junjo is the debut studio album by American bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding. [1] [2] [3] It was released on 18 April 2006 by Spanish label, Ayva Music. [4]

Contents

Background

The piano trio features pianist Aruán Ortiz, Francisco Mela on drums and then 22-year-old Spalding on upright bass, and providing vocals –often wordless– on all but two tracks. Besides compositions by Jimmy Rowles, Egberto Gismonti and Chick Corea the trio plays originals. [5] The album draws on jazz as well as on a number of Brazilian and other Latin music styles. [6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
All About Jazz Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [7]
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Tom Hull B+ [8]

Michael G. Nastos from AllMusic calls Junjo "an exercise in joy and freedom", noting "the certainty of her concept and clarity of her vision ... an auspicious beginning." [4] Jim Santella of All About Jazz commented, "Esperanza Spalding's debut drives jazz's modern mainstream with a hip-sounding classic piano trio. Her emotional, wordless vocals and conversational bass playing offer a delightful celebration of music as folk art. Spalding's bass playing gets noticed while she interprets traditional jazz favorites as well as fresh new originals." [7] Jamie Katz of Vibe wrote, "...it's Spalding singular creations that make Junjo truly beguiling, signaling a new and important voice in jazz." [9]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Peacocks" Jimmy Rowles 7:56
2."Loro" Egberto Gismonti 5:06
3."Humpty Dumpty" Chick Corea 5:51
4."Mompouana"Aruán Ortiz7:51
5."Perazuán"Spalding, Ortiz3:38
6."Junjo"Spalding5:13
7."Cantora de Yala"Gustavo Leguizamón, Manuel J. Castilla4:55
8."Two Bad"Spalding6:59
9."Perazela" Francisco Mela, Spalding1:32
Total length:49:02

Personnel

Production

References

  1. ↑ Prince, Tracy J.; Schaffer, Zadie (June 5, 2017). Notable Women of Portland. Arcadia Publishing. p. 114. ISBN   978-1-4396-6120-8 . Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  2. ↑ Gioia, Ted (2021). The Jazz Standards: A Guide to the Repertoire. Oxford University Press. p. 371. ISBN   978-0-19-008717-3 . Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  3. ↑ Esperanza Spalding - Junjo on Ayva Music website.
  4. 1 2 3 Junjo - Review on Allmusic.com
  5. ↑ Beuttler, Bill (October 1, 2019). Make It New: Reshaping Jazz in the 21st Century. Lever Press. p. 245. ISBN   978-1-64315-005-5 . Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  6. ↑ Rice, Timothy; Wilson, Dave (January 21, 2019). Gateways to Understanding Music. Routledge. ISBN   978-1-351-70883-8 . Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  7. 1 2 Santella, Jim (August 2, 2006). "Esperanza Spalding: Junjo". All About Jazz . Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Tom Hull: Grade List: Esperanza Spalding". Tom Hull . Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  9. ↑ Jamie, Katz (December 2006). "Music: Revolutions". Vibe . Vibe Media Group: 176. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
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