Track Listing

1. Peacocks
2. Loro
3. Humpty Dumpty
4. Mompouana
5. Perazu�n
6. Junjo
7. Cantora de Yala
8. Two Bad
9. Perazela

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10015 in Music
• Released on: 2006-04-18
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.com
Junjo boasts an unusual format: A young American woman playing bass and singing wordless vocals with the accompaniment of a Cuban pianist and drummer. But 22-year-old Esperanza Spalding, an Oregon native who teaches at Boston's Berklee College of Music, is so confident in her multiple roles (she also produced the album, released on a Spanish label) and the music goes down so easily, all awareness of her band's makeup quickly fades. With their lighter-than-air quality, the tunes sometimes recall early Return to Forever (an association underlined by the inclusion of a Chick Corea composition) and her playing boasts the warm, richly amplified quality favored by many young bassists. But with pianist Aruan Ortiz stretching and shaping the melodies, Junjo is winningly personal. In addition to several originals by Spalding, alone or in collaboration with Ortiz or her drummer, Francisco Mela, it includes a smart and playful reworking of Jimmy Rowles' classic, "The Peacocks." --Lloyd Sachs

Customer Reviews

Junjo
A true dichotomy: Some of the best smooth, tough, calming and energizing music that speaks to my heart, mind and body. Esperanza is a true gift to all who enjoy jazz. In fact, she will appeal to those who don't often listen to jazz, but who love good music.

Junjo Review
I bought the product as a gift for a friend. The person was very happy with the gift.

Fantastic!
This a really fantastic jazz Cd. Mrs. Spalding not just play bass as an angel, she sing as another angel. Absolutely and highly recommended for jazz lovers.