Junjo
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]
| Junjo | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 2006, April 18 | |||
| Recorded | 2005, April 6–7 | |||
| Studio | PBS Studios (Westwood, MA) | |||
| Genre | Jazz, vocal jazz | |||
| Length | 49:02 | |||
| Label | Ayva Musica | |||
| Producer | Esperanza Spalding | |||
| Esperanza Spalding chronology | ||||
| ||||
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
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| All About Jazz |   [7] |
| Allmusic |  [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. | Title | Writer(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 Ortiz | 7:51 |
| 5. | "Perazuán" | Spalding, Ortiz | 3:38 |
| 6. | "Junjo" | Spalding | 5:13 |
| 7. | "Cantora de Yala" | Gustavo Leguizamón, Manuel J. Castilla | 4:55 |
| 8. | "Two Bad" | Spalding | 6:59 |
| 9. | "Perazela" | Francisco Mela, Spalding | 1:32 |
| Total length: | 49:02 | ||
Personnel
- Esperanza Spalding – double bass, vocals
- Aruán Ortiz – piano
- Francisco Mela – drums
References
- Prince, Tracy J.; Schaffer, Zadie (5 June 2017). Notable Women of Portland. Arcadia Publishing. p. 114. ISBN 978-1-4396-6120-8. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- Gioia, Ted (2021). The Jazz Standards: A Guide to the Repertoire. Oxford University Press. p. 371. ISBN 978-0-19-008717-3. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
- Esperanza Spalding - Junjo on Ayva Music website.
- Junjo - Review on Allmusic.com
- Beuttler, Bill (1 October 2019). Make It New: Reshaping Jazz in the 21st Century. Lever Press. p. 245. ISBN 978-1-64315-005-5. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
- Rice, Timothy; Wilson, Dave (21 January 2019). Gateways to Understanding Music. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-351-70883-8. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- Santella, Jim (2 August 2006). "Esperanza Spalding: Junjo". All About Jazz. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
- "Tom Hull: Grade List: Esperanza Spalding". Tom Hull. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
- Jamie, Katz (December 2006). "Music: Revolutions". Vibe. Vibe Media Group: 176. Retrieved 22 November 2021.