Esperanza

Mainstream jazz led by a 23-year-old female bassist and vocalist. Piano-fronted band producing a coolly polished sound, very candlelight-jazz-club. Spalding is a mature vocalist and a solid bassist. The emphasis here is on the singing, but this is no Norah Jones turn; these are clearly jazz songs, with the lyrics playing fast and loose with the rhythm.

Bass featured on 5,8,9, among others.
Latin touches on 4,5,12.

1- Bouncy/gloopy afro-beat. Retro dreamy-girly "ahhhs"
2- Peppy and smoothly fast; modern-loungy
3- Romantic, floating piano
4- Midtempo, w/frenetic Latin percussion and forceful wordless vocals. Gets cooking later.
5- Breezy, soaring, mid/fast, Spanish vocals.
6- Upbeat. Chatty lyrics.
7- A touch of R&B. Flowing mellow mid/fast
8- Bright, breezy, w/some intensity. Fast-paced. Wordless vocals.
9- Slowish, romantic
10- Easygoing
11- Snappy instrumental. Good sax & trumpet solos
12- w/Spanish guitar, a soft duet