Milton + esperanza [Opaque Tangerine 2 LP] [Barnes & Noble Exclusive]

by Esperanza Spalding, Milton Nascimento

Overview

Esperanza Spalding and Milton Nascimento mark their 15-year friendship on their sublime 2024 collaboration Milton + Esperanza. Spalding, an acclaimed singer and bassist, was first introduced to Nascimento by Herbie Hancock when she was visiting Brazil in the 2000s. She had long appreciated the Brazilian legend's work, steeped as it is in folk, jazz, and the homegrown MPB that he helped to define in the '60s and '70s. Out of their initial meeting came Nascimento's guest appearance on Spalding's Grammy-winning album Chamber Music Society in 2010. Musically, Spalding has long evinced the influence of artists like Stevie Wonder and Wayne Shorter. Both of those artists also serve as comparable touchstones for Nascimento, who famously collaborated with Shorter on their classic 1974 album Native Dancer. Similarly here, Spalding and Nascimento are kindred musical spirits, dueting on almost every track; her bright vocal smile a perfect foil for Nascimento's hushed baritone; one that's only gained subtle textures over the decades. 81 years old at the time of recording, Nascimento had already embarked on a farewell tour when he decided to join Spalding in the studio, and their work together often feels like a celebration of his life. Produced by Spalding, the album features potent instrumental backing from her group with guitarist Matthew Stevens, pianist Leo Genovese, singer and keyboardist Corey King, and drummers Justin Tyson and Eric Doob. There are also vibrant contributions by singer/flutist Elena Pinderhughes, singer Lianne La Havas, Brazil's Orquestra Ouro Preto, percussionists Kainã Do Jêje and Ronaldinho Silva, and guitarists Lula Galvão and Guinga, among others. We get ebullient readings of fan favorite Nascimento songs like "Outboro" and "Cais." Spalding also contributes "Wings for the Thought Bird" and "Get It by Now," ambitiously melodic and poetic Baroque jazz-pop songs that nicely evoke the sun-baked and far-eyed lyricism of Nascimento's classic albums. Adding to this sense of warm appreciation are a handful of guests, including Paul Simon who jumps on board for a heartfelt duet with Nascimento on "Um Vento Passou," singer Dianne Reeves on a bittersweet cover of the Beatles' "A Day in the Life," and Carolina Shorter (Wayne Shorter's widow), who joins in on a lyrical and poignant nine-minute rendition of "When You Dream" off Native Dancer. At the center of all this are Nascimento and Spalding, whose smiling interplay helps make Milton + Esperanza feel like both a capstone to a monumental career and continuation of a musical legacy. ~ Matt Collar

Product Details

Release Date:	08/09/2024
Label:	Barnes Noble Consign
UPC:	0888072619210
Rank:	1400

Tracks

Disc 1

1. the music was there
2. Cais
3. Late September
4. Outubro
5. A Day in the Life
6. Interlude for Saci
7. Saci
8. Wings for the Thought Bird
9. The Way You Are
10. Earth Song

Disc 2

11. Morro Velho
12. Saudade Dos Aviões Da Panair (Conversando No Bar)
13. Um Vento Passou
14. Get It By Now
15. outro planeta
16. When You Dream

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Esperanza Spalding   Primary Artist,Vocals,Voices,Guitar (Bass),Speech/Speaker/Speaking Part
Milton Nascimento   Primary Artist,Vocals,Voices,Speech/Speaker/Speaking Part
Maria Gadu   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Elena Pinderhughes   Primary Artist,Flute,Featured Artist
Paul Simon   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Dianne Reeves   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Orquestra Ouro Preto   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Tim Bernardes   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Lianne La Havas   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Guinga   Primary Artist,Vocals,Voices,Featured Artist,Guitar
Carolina Shorter   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Corey King   Vocals,Synthesizer,Vocals (Background)
Fernando Lodeiro   Vocals (Background)
Eric Doob   Drums,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Shabaka Hutchings   Flute,Saxophone
Pablo Vergara   Guitar (Bass)
Leonardo Lacerda   Violin
Matthew Stevens   Guitar,Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Rodrigo De Oliveira   Violin
Daniel Mendes   Violin
Lula Galvao   Guitar,Featured Artist
Justin Tyson   Drums,Vocals,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Leo Genovese   Organ,Piano,Vocals (Background)
Andre Geiger   Guitar (Bass)
Kainan Do Jeje   Drums
Cristina Lima   Cello
Edmar Colon   Strings
Kamila Anna Druzd   Viola
Breno Cruz   Cello
Gabriel Teodoro De Andrade   Viola
Glaikson Luiz Marques Nogueira   Violin
Katarzyna Marta Druzd   Viola
Lucas Martins de Barros dos Santos   Violin
Mara Reis Toffolo   Violin
Marcio Jose Vale Valladao   Violin
Mariana Alves Furtado   Violin
Rodolfo Marques Toffolo   Violin
Rodrigo Angelo Toffolo   Conductor
Sara Oliveira Alves   Violin
Talitha Debora Gomes Marinho   Cello
Victor Alves Rocha   Violin
Wagner Mateus Pereira de Oliveira   Violin
Wesley Prates Lima   Violin
Marcos Paulo Goncalves De Amorim   Viola
Mariana Pardinho Reis   Violin
Robson Fonseca Ferreira   Cello
Ronaldinho Silva   Percussion
Samuel Kardos   Strings

Technical Credits

Leo Genovese   Additional Production,Recording Arranger
Wayne Shorter   Composer
Esperanza Spalding   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Liner Notes,Executive Producer,Recording Arranger,Recording Producer
Guinga   Composer
Corey King   Composer,Additional Production
Fernando Lodeiro   Mixing,Engineer,Programming
Eric Doob   Additional Production
Lawrence Azerrad   Package Design
Edgy Lee   Composer
Oscar Zambrano   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
William Luna   Engineer
Matthew Stevens   Additional Production
Justin Tyson   Composer,Recording Arranger,Additional Production
Paul McCartney   Composer
John Lennon   Composer
Arthur Luna   Engineer,Recording,Associate Producer,Additional Production
Edmar Colon   Arranger
Raphael Rui Castro   Assistant Engineer
Piotr Garbaczonek   Mastering Engineer,Assistant Mastering Engineer
Enzo Menegazzi   Assistant Engineer
Samuel Kardos   Arranger
Goathi Diniz   Photography
Pedro Napolinario   Photography
Augusto Nascimento   Associate Producer
Reva Santo   Photography
Lucas Nogueira   Photography
Michael Jackson   Composer
Milton Nascimento   Composer
Marcio Borges   Composer
Fernando Brant   Composer