Keyboardist Robert Glasper purportedly came up with the concept for R+R=Now (which means reflect and respond now), his forward-looking jazz supergroup, while producing Nina Revisited, a companion album to the 2015 Nina Simone documentary What Happened, Miss Simone? While musically far afield of Simone's own literate, bluesy piano-and-vocal style of jazz, R+R=Now's debut album, 2018's Collagically Speaking, has a cinematic quality that speaks to Glasper's original impulse to make music inspired by Simone's artistically ...
Read More
Keyboardist Robert Glasper purportedly came up with the concept for R+R=Now (which means reflect and respond now), his forward-looking jazz supergroup, while producing Nina Revisited, a companion album to the 2015 Nina Simone documentary What Happened, Miss Simone? While musically far afield of Simone's own literate, bluesy piano-and-vocal style of jazz, R+R=Now's debut album, 2018's Collagically Speaking, has a cinematic quality that speaks to Glasper's original impulse to make music inspired by Simone's artistically adventurous, socially and politically minded work. Joining Glasper are a handful of equally adventurous jazz iconoclasts, including trumpeter Christian Scott, bassist Derrick Hodge, drummer Justin Tyson, keyboardist Taylor McFerrin, and keyboardist and singer Terrace Martin. All of these musicians, not the least being Glasper, have their own distinctively cross-pollinated discographies that dip into jazz, R&B, hip-hop, electronica, film scores, and beyond. There are also several guest artists here, including vocalists Goapele and Omari Hardwick and DJ Jahi Sundance. Together, Glasper and his collaborators bring all of their varied experience to bear on Collagically Speaking, a far-reaching, organically realized set of tracks that feels surprisingly balanced, despite the genre-bending nature of the project and strong artistic personalities involved. Primarily, they craft ambient, groove-based soundscapes that allow for both melodic hooks and more probing, improvisational sections. Tracks like the languid "Awake to You" and half-lidded "By Design" have a sultry, cocoon-like ambience in which rippling synths rub up against Scott's breathy, muted trumpet, as Martin's soulful voice shimmers through alien vocoder haze. Elsewhere, they take a more kinetic approach, launching into the breakbeat-inflected modal jazz anthem "Resting Warrior" and the acidic fusion number "The Night in Question." Other cuts touch upon piano-accented contemporary jazz ("Colors in the Dark"), alt-rap ("Needed You Still"), and ambient new age ("Been on My Mind"). In keeping with Nina Simone's outspoken influence, there is also an undercurrent of social awareness on Collagically Speaking, including a motivational speech about success from actor Terry Crews on "The Night in Question" and a passionate and insightful feminist spoken word piece by standup comic Amanda Seales on "Her=Now." None of these more pointedly thought-provoking additions detract from the overall flow of the album, and instead add to the overarching vibe of open-minded creativity, love, and empowerment. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi
Read Less
Add this copy of Collagically Speaking to cart. $5.16, poor condition, Sold by Movie Surplus rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Mobile, AL, UNITED STATES, published 2018 by Blue Note.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Crews/Glasper/Hodge; Glasper/Hardwick/Ho; Glasper/Hodge/Lake/; Glasper/Hodge/Marti; Hodge/McFerrin/Scot; Hodge/McFerrin/Seal. Poor. Used-Acceptable, DISC ONLY, Withdrawn library disc(s). Includes a case. Artwork and liner notes not included. Disc(s) should play great, without any playback issues. Disc may include library markings, like writing, sticker, and protective label covers.
Add this copy of Collagically Speaking to cart. $5.71, fair condition, Sold by Service First Media rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Taylorsville, KY, UNITED STATES, published 2018 by Blue Note.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. Ex-Library rental. Disc(s) are professionally cleaned and may contain only light scratches that do not effect functionality. Includes disc(s), case, and artwork. May be missing booklet. Disc(s), case, and artwork may contain library/security stickers and ink writing. ARTWORK IS UNORIGINAL AND PRINTED BY LIBRARY. Case and artwork may show some wear. Case may not be an original jewel case. All disc(s) are authentic.
