Esperanza Spalding Debuts New Single, “Black Gold” Feat. Algebra Blessett | TAKE A LISTEN!
Eclectic jazz songstress and upright bass virtusuo Esperanza Spalding is back with “Black Gold”, the vivacious first single from her upcoming album, Radio Music Society. Unveiled just in time for the beginning of Black History Month, the song is triumphant testimony of empowerment, and is bound to become a celebatory anthem for people from all walks of life. “Black Gold” features guest vocals from neo-soul songbird Algebra Blessett. The track will impact urban radio shortly.
The eSingle is available for digital download at iTunes here: itunes.apple.com/us/album/black-gold-feat.-special-guest/id498029045
Esperanza rose to new heights with the 2010 release of her breakthrough album, Chamber Music Society. Then she made headlines at last year’s Grammys when she snatched up the highly coveted award for “Best New Artist”, beating out fellow nominees Florence and the Machine, Drake, and Justin Bieber.
Now Esperanza returns with Radio Music Society (Out on March 20, 2012 via Heads Up International/Concord Music Group), a vibrant style-spanning companion work to Chamber Music Society. “Originally I thought it would be fun to release a double album,” she explains, “One disc with an intimate, subtle exploration of chamber works and a second one in which jazz musicians explore song forms and melodies that are formatted more along the lines of what we would categorize as “pop songs.” Those are the two things that really interest me, and it intrigues me to think about different presentation approaches while writing each kind of song.”
Radio Music Society boasts a vast range of top-notch guest musicians and collaborators. In addition to longtime partners Joe Lovano, keyboard player Leo Genovese and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, the ranks contain jazz legends Jack DeJohnette and Billy Hart; guitar heroes Jef Lee Johnson and Lionel Loueke; an array of master vocalists including Algebra Blessett, Lalah Hathaway, Gretchen Parlato, Leni Stern and Becca Stevens; hip-hop giant Q-Tip (who performs on and co-produced two tracks); and two Portland-based musicians, Janice Scroggins and Dr. Thara Memory, who provided essential mentorship in Spalding’s youth.
In support of the album, Esperanza will embark on spring tour with major market stops in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and New Orleans for the city’s annual JazzFest.
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