The Robert Glasper Experiment:Black Radio

The last time I played a CD ( well now it’s a digital downloaded album) to death was Jill Scott‘s “Who is Jill Scott”. That was a decade ago, well here we go again with The Robert Glasper Experiment:Black Radio“. I’m late.  Just got hip to dude from my friend April. But better late than never.

“Black Radio” is his attempt to bring a spark to Jazz, and I don’t mean that middle of the road smooth jazz Najee stuff that I out grew just after college. He is trying to revive the straight ahead movement much like Esperanza Spaulding. And if anyone can do it, Glasper can. He has played with an amazing mix of talents from the Neo-Soul and Jazz worlds. From Bilal, Meshell N’degeocello, Ledesi and Erykah Badu to Roy Hargrove, Terence Blanchard and Christian McBride, this brotha has the cred to do it.

He is an amazing pianist who can do the straight ahead thing beautifully as his amazing “Double Booked“ album shows. While “Double Book” is split between his straight ahead  and the Neo-soulish jazz thing, “Black Radio” is more of a complete Neo-Jazz thing with covers of “Afro Blue” with Erykah and cover of “A Love Supreme”.

There are amazing performances by Lalah Hathaway on the cover of Sade’s “Cherish the Day”, and a very cool cover of “Smells like Teen Spirit”.

This is a must buy for those looking for something fresh. After you hear “Black Radio” you will go right back to the iTunes music store and buy his other albums.

Here is a preview Ah Yeah with Musiq Soulchild and Chrisette Michele