Aug 22, 2009

Robert Glasper Trio - Mood

allaboutjazz sez:
Mood might be interpreted at first sight to be a "mood record." This is accurate only as relates to the tracks with Bilal though, which include a very ethereal version of Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage" and the vocal feature "Don't Close Your Eyes," which is definitely a moody ballad to say the least. For those not familiar, Bilal is not a stereotypical male R&B vocalist in any way, so he should prove to be of interest to openminded listeners. He doesn't try to be a "jazz singer" here but he's not asked to be either, only to bring his thing to the table in terms of generating some serious atmosphere.

The majority of the record, though, is devoted to well-executed, swinging and creative piano trio music made in tandem with Glasper's comrades: bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Damion Reid.

barabara sounds sez:
Catch Glasper live if you have the chance. Failing that, check out his Blue Note album 'In My Element'. This, an earlier album, is perhaps less compelling but it's still excellent.

track listing:
Maiden Voyage; Lil Tipsy; Alone Together; Mood; Don't Close Your Eyes; Blue Skies; Interlude; In Passing; L.N.K Blues

personnel:
Robert Glasper piano; Bob Hurst bass; Damion Reid drums; Mike Moreno guitar (track 4); John Ellis tenor saxophone (tracks 4, 9); Marcus Strickland tenor saxophone (track 9)

HOT OFF THE PRESS (late November)
Bilal has just announced his first LP since his 2001.
more in comments

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?dmzzzv3oetw

cheeba said...

Agree on the comment about catching him live, especially if he's wearing his RCDC Experiment hat. I dig the Trio stuff but he's one of the few that really gets how to synthesize jazz with modern hip hop/r&B.

It might be less compelling as you say but I love Bilal so have always dug this one.

Simon666 said...

Hi TN!
Thanks so much for this .. i LOVE "Don't Close your eyes". Bilal Salaam is one of the most criminally underrated contemporary soul writers out there, great to hear him in a different context :)

taro nombei said...

@ cheeba and Simon

Thank you both for dropping by my embryonic sporadic blog.

Both of your blogs are brilliant, the yardstick to aspire to — indeed they're essential and regular ports of call for me.
In fact I spend so much time trawling the music blogosphere I doubt I'll be doing much actual posting. But I have a few things I'd like to share, so keep your antennas out there... :)

yoroshiku from Tokyo!
TN

taro nombei said...

Bilal has just announced his first LP since his 2001.
He also played alongside Robert Glasper & drummer Chris ‘Daddy’ Dave earlier this month as part of the London Jazz Festival.

check him out live on this recent gig - it;s a long way from 'Mood' :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwIUgEaEfcM&feature=player_embedded

tommythomaso said...

Thanx, Barbara, for the Glasper "Mood". He's just a kid, but . . .