Keyboardist and composer Robert Glasper first gained recognition as a hugely talented jazz artist with two Blue Note records under his belt. His career really took off when, in 2012, he released his Grammy-winning CD, Black Radio, on which the bandleader altered his focus, plugged in, and explored the realms of contemporary R&B and hip-hop with an array of featured artists from various genres. He followed up that success with 2013’s Black Radio 2, using a similar format.
On his latest release, Covered, Glasper brings together aspects from both his jazz and Black Radio worlds. The album, recorded live in front of an audience at Hollywood’s Capitol Studios, finds Glasper returning to an acoustic trio setting with bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Damion Reid, both of whom were heard on his straight-up jazz discs. The material, which comes from the pens of Glasper and artists including Radiohead, Musiq Soulchild, and Joni Mitchell, tends a bit more towards the Black Radio mode.
This makes for an interesting and often very appealing combination. After Glasper’s intro, the band dives directly into “I Don’t Even Care,” from Black Radio 2. Here it’s done instrumentally with single notes from the pianist “singing” the familiar refrain. It’s quite a departure and an exciting one at that.
Glasper’s “In Case You Forgot” really takes it out with its almost science-fiction theme—a mad rush of piano notes suggests a need to escape, with Vincente’s bass sounding rather foreboding. Miraculously, the whole mood lightens in almost cartoon-like fashion, and miraculously again, the tune starts swinging. Everyone in the group is in on this exhilarating, 13-minute adventure. Quiet moments follow with Glasper even performing the chestnut “Stella by Starlight.”
Jazz enthusiasts will undoubtedly herald Robert Glasper’s return to the acoustic piano and trio format. Glasper fans who dig him in any setting win both ways on Covered. Meanwhile it can be hoped that those who jumped on the Black Radio bandwagon will continue to follow the keyboardist in their—and his—pursuit of music of the highest quality.
