Monday, October 10, 2016

Album Review: The Robert Glasper Experiment- ArtScience


I’m baffled by fans who buy t-shirts and other merchandise before a concert begins.  Won’t they regret purchasing the souvenirs if the performer disappoints them?  Friends who proclaim that a forthcoming event will be “the concert of the year” are no less silly.  So much for the Show Me state.

If symbolism mattered more than content, the Robert Glasper Experiment’s ArtScience, a project on which one of my favorite jazz musicians leads an excellent band in an exploration of R&B, would be my top album of 2016.

Unfortunately, I made the mistake of actually listening to ArtScience.  I share the inclinations of Glasper and the members of his all-star band, but their update of classic Stevie Wonder, George Duke’s funk-fusion and current neo-soul by the likes of Erykah Badu falls well short of the mark.  A handful of impressive moments only make me long for what might have been.


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I reviewed John Mayall’s concert at Knuckleheads.

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I reviewed James Bay’s return to the Midland theater.

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I write weekly music previews for The Kansas City Star and Ink magazine.

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I discussed Brody Buster’s One Man Band on KCUR last week.

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A forthcoming Sigur Rós concert is my Big Show of the Week for The Kansas City Star and Ink magazine.

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Rod Temperton has died.

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Joan Marie Johnson Faust of the Dixie Cups has died.  (Tip via BGO.)

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My new catchphrase: ”I got a new name in the streets. They call me Billy.”.

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The Duo- Live!, a jam session featuring Mulgrew Miller and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, is an old-school treat.

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The end is nigh.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)

3 comments:

bigsteveno said...

My new catchphrase is:

If you don't stress me, I can maneuver the jungle focusly.

Ok, that's too long for a catchphrase. I think I'll just say focusly a lot.

Anonymous said...

So... you like cheesy autotuned vocals in hip hop pop (or however you'd classify that jive) or are you just trying to punk us?

Happy In Bag said...

The "cheesy autotuned vocals" on ArtScience don't bother bother me. It's the dumb lyrics and poorly constructed songs that repel me, Anon. As DJ Khaled might say, the band should have worked more focusly.