Esperanza | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | May 20, 2008 | |||
Recorded | 2007 | |||
Studio | Wellspring Sound (Acton, Massachusetts) & Big Time Audio (Jonesborough, Tennessee) | |||
Length | 67:36[1] | |||
Language |
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Label | Heads Up | |||
Producer | Esperanza Spalding | |||
Esperanza Spalding chronology | ||||
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Esperanza is the second studio album by American bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding. It was released on May 20, 2008 by Heads Up International.[2]
Having been exposed to many cultures while growing up, Spalding sings in three languages on the album: English, Spanish and Portuguese.[3] After Spalding's Grammy Award win in February 2011, the album entered the Billboard 200 at 138.
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
All About Jazz | [4] |
Allmusic | [5] |
Tom Hull | B+[6] |
Thom Jurek of AllMusic stated, "On this recording she seeks to widen her musical adventure at every turn, but she does it with such with taste, refinement, and a playful sense of humor that virtually anyone who encounters this offering will find not only much to delight in, but plenty to be amazed by as well."[5] Myles Tanzer in his book Music Is My Life: Soundtrack Your Mood With 80 Artists for Every Occasion commented, "...on that album she sings in three languages, sings her heart out, and plays masterfully."[7] Nate Chinen of Vibe added, "Like the basketball that shares her name, Spalding bounces around. But this album doesn’t make a slapdash show of eclecticism. Spalding has fashioned something cohesive and diverse, calling upon a strong coalition of musicians and the depth of her own skills. It’s clear Esperanza’s definitely got game—and has no hung-ups about showing it."[8] Jeff Winbush of All About Jazz added that the album "flat-out smokes, and showcases the Berklee-trained bassist as potentially one of the more promising young talents in jazz."[4]
All tracks are written by Esperanza Spalding except where noted
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Ponta de Areia" | Milton Nascimento, Fernando Brant | 5:39 |
2. | "I Know You Know" | 3:46 | |
3. | "Fall In" | 3:57 | |
4. | "I Adore You" | 7:27 | |
5. | "Cuerpo y Alma (Body & Soul)" | Edward Heyman, Robert Sour | 8:01 |
6. | "She Got to You" | 4:29 | |
7. | "Precious" | 4:24 | |
8. | "Mela" | 6:57 | |
9. | "Love in Time" | 5:47 | |
10. | "Espera" | 4:40 | |
11. | "If That's True" | 7:33 | |
12. | "Samba em Preludio" | Vinícius de Moraes, Baden Powell | 5:11 |
Total length: | 67:36 |
Esperanza spent over 70 weeks on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums Chart.[9]
Chart (2009–10) | Peak position |
---|---|
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[10] | 12 |
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[11] | 37 |
US Billboard 200[12] | 138 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[13] | 40 |
US Top Catalog Albums (Billboard)[14] | 16 |
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[15] | 12 |
US Top Jazz Albums (Billboard)[16] | 3 |