Milton + Esperanza (Concord Records, 2024)
Milton + Esperanza is a profound, exceptional collaboration between Brazilian music legend Milton Nascimento and Grammy-winning bassist and composer Esperanza Spalding. Recorded in Brazil throughout 2023, this 16-track album intertwines Nascimento’s classic Afro-Brazilian roots sound with Spalding’s contemporary jazz vibes, reflecting their shared musical bond.
Produced and arranged by Spalding, the album masterfully revisits Nascimento’s well-known songs, introduces brilliant new compositions inspired by his work, and includes engaging reinterpretations of popular hits such as The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” and Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song.” These versions are not simply covers, but rather thoughtful reinterpretations that honor the originals while adding Spalding’s inventive perspective.
The beguiling and exquisitely made project features contributions from artists like Paul Simon, Dianne Reeves, Lianne La Havas, Tim Bernardes, and Maria Gadú. Spalding’s core band, Matthew Stevens (guitar), Justin Tyson and Eric Doob (drums), Leo Genovese (piano), and Corey D. King (vocals and synths), is joined by prominent Brazilian musicians, including Orquestra Ouro Preto, percussionists Kainã Do Jêje and Ronaldinho Silva, and guitarist Lula Galvão.
A central theme of the album is the exchange of knowledge and creativity between generations, which is reflected in its dedication to Wayne Shorter, a longtime influence on both artists. Spalding has emphasized the importance of collaboration between younger and older musicians, a philosophy rooted in Shorter and Nascimento’s past work together on Native Dancer.
The album’s inception traces back to a dinner party where spalding first heard Native Dancer, sparking a friendship and eventual partnership with Nascimento. In 2022, spalding joined him on his farewell tour and later produced this album, marking a dream realized for her. One notable moment in the album’s production occurred when Nascimento requested a Paul McCartney song, which ultimately led to their distinctive rendition of “A Day in the Life.”
Esperanza Spalding says: “It’s like a magic, that you know when it’s happening, and you can help make it happen. It’s like you can invite it to come visit you. You can invite it to come through you. And it’s magic, that I guess, I’m always hoping will descend, you know, into the music. The whole time, I was always praying for the album to feel like a big ship, that’s traveling through the cosmic waters of the world. And the ship is going so smooth, and you’re [Milton] standing at the back going like this, “Wa, wa.” Like throwing magic out from your hands to everybody who’s seen the boat go by. And I wanted the album to feel like that, to feel like this magical wow-thing going by; and after it passes, you just feel like wow. That was the inspiration for the album.”
Track List
- the music was there 00:58
- Cais 03:41
- Late September 01:26
- Outubro 05:18
- A Day in the Life 04:37
- Interlude for Saci 01:41
- Saci (feat Guinga) 03:30
- Wings for the Thought Bird (feat Elena Pinderhughes and Orquestra Ouro Preto) 03:07
- The Way You Are 00:44
- Earth Song (feat Dianne Reeves) 06:43
- Morro Velho (feat Orquestra Ouro Preto) 05:15
- Saudade Dos Aviões Da Panair (Conversando No Bar) (feat Lianne La Havas, Maria Gadu, Tim Bernardes, Lula Galvão) 05:25
- Um Vento Passou (para Paul Simon) (feat Paul Simon) 04:37
- Get It By Now 02:24
- outro planeta 02:06
- When You Dream (feat Carolina Shorter) 09:27
2024 U.S. Esperanza Spalding Tour Dates
9/13 – Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre
9/14 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre
9/15 – St. Louis, MO – Music at the Intersection (Festival)
9/16 – Skokie, IL – North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
9/17 – Milwaukee, WI – Marcus Performing Arts Center
9/19 – Madison, WI – Wisconsin Union Theater
11/13 – New Orleans, LA – Orpheum Theatre
11/14 – Austin, TX – Paramount Theatre
11/15 – Stillwater, OK – The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts
11/16 – Salina, KS – The Stiefel Theatre
2/4 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Botti at Sea ‘25
2/18 – 2/23* New York, NY – Blue Note Jazz Club (8pm & 10:30pm)
2/25 – 3/2* New York, NY – Blue Note Jazz Club (8pm & 10:30pm)
Buy Milton + Esperanza.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.