Customer Reviews

Canvas

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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!

Managed to catch a review for this album recently on michaelvalentinestudio site and thought it would be a good chance buy. I was right. Took a little getting used too, but knew it would grow on me. Great pianist and composer with a bouncy feel to his stride. Almost Herbie Hancockish in places I thought. Great sublime vocals by Bilal and wonderful inclusion of his mother's voice on the last track.

Having enjoyed In My Element so much, I wanted to see if Mr. Glasper's previous joints were as enchanting as his current release.I need NOT have worried. 'Canvas' is an exquisite release from a young man that is self assured and knows where he is going. Some have liken this release, to being somewhat Herbie Hancockish, and not being familiar with Mr. Hancock work (although I'd appreciate some suggestions on how I could overcome my ignorance)I'd say that this is an accessible CD for anyone, like me, who is newish to Jazz, particularly the piano.
From the lively bright affair, 'Rise & Shine', the title track, which adds the tenor sax of Mark Turner to the mix, and is very melancholy in feel, to one of my favorites 'Enoch's Meditation', the early part of this CD is marvelous. Another one of my favorites is the haunting 'Chant', which has Bilal on vocals to great effect. The last joint `I Remember' samples Mr. Glasper's mother, the late Kim Yvette Glasper, on a track that plays like a tribute to her. All in all a very good CD, that makes me yearn for his first CD Mood


Stand out tracks: Chant & I Remember (very Moving)

On first listen, Glasper's second album Canvas sounds like decidedly mainstream piano jazz. The second time around, the true hip hop nature of the music reveals itself. Humming along to the music he is playing, Canvas owns a melodic sense that can mesmerize you. Glasper has influences of Tyner, Hancock, Coreau, and Jarret and holds his own to new piano trios led by Jason Moran, Bill Charlap, and Brad Mehldau.

My son and I are really enjoying this early CD by Robert Glasper (our second) and we fully recommend it.

I can't take this cd out of my player.
Superb writing and playing!
Damion Reid lays it down!
Thank you Mr Glasper for a hit!

Glasper's compositions are incroyable... They got me speaking French... He is a gifted composer and musician. May he continue to share his divine creativity!

Robert Glasper has made a mark and impression of many jazz musicians. He is a wonderful talent and his hip sound brings music to one's ears. I think in the future he will make a very fine musician who will be known as one of the greatest who ever lived.