Junjo

Esperanza Spalding | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 18, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ayva Musica
• ASIN: B000F0H4R2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,600 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #8 in Music > Jazz > Latin Jazz
  • #12 in Music > Jazz > Modern Postbebop
  • #17 in Music > Jazz > Bebop > General AAS

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Junjo boasts an unusual format: A young American woman playing bass and singing wordless vocals with the accompaniment of a Cuban pianist and drummer. But 22-year-old Esperanza Spalding, an Oregon native who teaches at Boston's Berklee College of Music, is so confident in her multiple roles (she also produced the album, released on a Spanish label) and the music goes down so easily, all awareness of her band's makeup quickly fades. With their lighter-than-air quality, the tunes sometimes recall early Return to Forever (an association underlined by the inclusion of a Chick Corea composition) and her playing boasts the warm, richly amplified quality favored by many young bassists. But with pianist Aruan Ortiz stretching and shaping the melodies, Junjo is winningly personal. In addition to several originals by Spalding, alone or in collaboration with Ortiz or her drummer, Francisco Mela, it includes a smart and playful reworking of Jimmy Rowles' classic, "The Peacocks." --Lloyd Sachs

Product Description

This is it, the CD that launched the recording career of the now Grammy Award winning artist Esperanza Spalding. When released this project immediately grabbed the attention of fans and critics as an amazing release from a new leader in Jazz. Winning BEST NEW ARTIST at 53rd Annual Grammy Awards introduced her to a global audience, but Junjo was the foundation. JUNJO, the first musical production under the direction of this American artist, Esperanza gives her touches to pieces that range from the modern jazz trio to contemporary Brazilian music, to Argentine folk music. For her, this project is a dream come true. It is as a same time, her first CD as well as the first production under her direction. The trio is completed with the artistry of two excellent musicians, pianist Aruán Ortiz and drummer Francisco Mela. JUNJO has Esperanza s personal seal: the superb sense of time that she possesses and always succeeds in communicating to her audiences, and her great devotion to the instrument she plays.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Junjo, December 31, 2008

By 

Charlie Bass "simply diverse" (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Junjo (Audio CD)

A true dichotomy: Some of the best smooth, tough, calming and energizing music that speaks to my heart, mind and body. Esperanza is a true gift to all who enjoy jazz. In fact, she will appeal to those who don't often listen to jazz, but who love good music.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!!!!, April 10, 2009

By 

B. K. Stewart "Sweetlou" (Terre Haute, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Junjo (MP3 Download)

I had been told about this young lady approximately 6-8 months before I actually listened to her CD. When I heard her I could not believe it! She is absolutely incredible in her playing and singing for her age and the type of music (jazz) she sings! I bought this CD and her latest CD, "Esperanza" and I simply fell in love with her. When you hear her sing and play it's hard to believe you're listening to someone as young as she is. It hard to imagine what levels she will achieve if her beginning is any indication. I look forward to whatever she puts out in the future. She will definitely become one of my favorite artists!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I just love this album, November 16, 2010

By 

silhouette_of_enchantment "zenfully awake." (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Junjo (Audio CD)

For me, Esperanza Spalding's debut album was pure listening joy. This is a jazz in its purest, undiluted sense. Not only does Spalding play the bass well, she's a great singer as well. Spalding scats on many of the songs (except when she sings the "Cantora de Yala", which is a Argentinian folk song that she sings in Spanish). She's has such a sweet pleasant voice -- one can only hope that she'll sing even more in the future. The song sounds a lot like Brazilian sambas/bossa novas (which I love listening too). She does it all so well too. Spalding also reworks some classic jazz pieces like "Humpty Dumpty" and "The Peacocks".


To me, the title track "Junjo" sums up Spalding's style -- which is playful, savvy, sophisticated, feminine and joyful. But there are many moods expressed throughout the album -- I guess it depends on the listener what they will get from each abstract song.

This album has been on constant repeat on my cd player and IPOD for the past month, that's how much I enjoy it. Right now, I hope to listen to more of her albums in the future -- but I"m enjoying this one so much, it's going to be a little while.

ETA: Her bass solo (the arrangement and her playing) on "Mompouana" is just so wonderful and cool, it almost had me literally tears. Just brilliant.