Canvas

Robert Glasper | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 4, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000B66PMK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,000 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and Melodic, December 3, 2005

By 

Kenneth James Michael MacLean (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Canvas (Audio CD)

This collection by Robert Glasper is swinging, intelligent, and melodic. I have been listening to it continuously for 2 weeks, and the music still sounds fresh.
"Portrait of an Angel," "Enoch's Meditation," "Chant," and "North Portland" are especially beautiful, particularly the haunting "Enoch's Meditation."
"Canvas," the title cut, is my least favorite. There are a lot of saxophone gyrations which detract IMHO, from the melody.
If you like melodic, introspective and beautiful piano trio music this CD is a can't miss.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern jazz is in good hands with this new generation artist, February 11, 2006

By 

P. Masuda "music maniac" (Encino, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Canvas (Audio CD)

Robert Glasper is an pianist with a unique sound all his own
and yet, intriguingly, his refined technique and sensitivity
remind me of the best of the legends. The opening "Rise and
Shine" has probably the most distinctive melody on the album,
and has moments that will remind you of McCoy Tyner, while his
soloing has a kind of a Bud Powell cleverness and inventive-
ness. His slower themes such as "Canvas" and "Enoch's Medi-
tation" are very contemporary and very bebop at the same time.
His artistry is in ability to do this so smoothly and effort-
lessly. "Portrait of an Angel" is almost solo piano, so
pure and expressive, it carries you along with beautiful
phrasing. One of my very favorite tunes on the entire album
is "Jelly's da Beener" with its distinctive left hand piano
bass line in the intro which is picked up by the bass player.
His soloing always is interesting yet unpretentious. The
album beginning to end is a journey that keeps you on your
toes, awakening you to his fresh and upbeat ideas and
marvelous phrasing which are a pleasure to kick back and
enjoy. I definitely hope we'll be hearing much more from
this new generation artist!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Robert Glasper is the real deal!, November 9, 2005

By 

Anthony "Music Lover" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canvas (Audio CD)

I recently caught Robert at the Village Vanguard where he gave a sensational performance. From the onset of this CD you can hear his fingers dance gracefully across the keys with purpose and vision of a veteran musician and suddenly you begin to realize there's no doubt this young man is absolutely the real deal. Ironically, after hearing Robert Glasper I began to reminisce about my first introduction to pianists Herbie Hancock (70's) and later years Billy Childs (Take for Example This ) came to mind while listening to Robert Glasper's "Canvas."


The opening track "Rise and Shine," is reflective of the musical journey you encounter with pianist, composer Robert Glasper on the first spin. Artistically, Glasper has the art of "Trio" craved in stone with hints of genius sprayed onto the canvas leaving sufficient space for improvising.

Glasper speaks from his spiritual perspective on "Portrait of An Angel," his piano phrasing are remarkably fresh. His pursuit of excellence continues to glow with the next selection "Enoch's Meditation" its simplistic yet mesmerizing. On tracks 7, 8 and 9 Glasper plays the Fender Rhodes and the Kalimba of all instruments. On track seven Glasper articulates with passion to incorporate the hipness of Neo Soul - Hip-Hop singer Bilal into the framework. Bilal's vocal textures blend effortlessly while his unique expressive harmonic colors breaths an aurora of freshness into "Chant." Glasper's fingers walk the walk as he assuredly takes flight once again soaring with delightful melodies marrying these unexpected voices together.

"Riot" originally scored by Herbie Hancock is the next tune featuring Mark Turner on tenor horn and Glasper on Fender Rhodes and piano. Robert is quite comfortable improvising therefore, aligning himself with the veteran Turner fusing their voices within the passages of bopping harmonies and unyielding melodies. Glasper has obviously spent his fair share of time in the woodshed. Let's keep in mind here, Glasper's compositions are masterfully written and skillfully executed yet accessible to listen too. No question, this young man can seriously play! Mr. Glasper closes out the set of ten selections with "I Remember" which is dedicated in the loving memory of his mother.

At this point you see Robert Glasper's music is primarily mainstream (or modern) jazz, and chances are "Canvas" may or may not appeal to you. However, Robert Glasper will definitely lure you out of the cube by challenging and hopefully inspire you to take chances thru the art of discovering and embracing fresh voices. From this music lover's perspective, "Canvas" is the kind of music I love, it's warm, fresh, creative and reflective of what modern jazz is about! Glasper is part of a growing segment of talented young artists that's stimulated by the language of jazz, henceforth speaking out with varied tongues filled with rich, creative, and passionate voices for this music we truly love called jazz. Thanks to Blue Note Records for their leadership, vision, passion, hopes and desires to continually bridging the gap musically and artistically for artist of this magnitude.

Please do yourself a favor and add this exciting new recording titled "Canvas" by pianists Robert Glasper to your music collection today!