Robert Glasper – Black Radio III (Supreme Edition) (2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 01:38:33 minutes | 1,09 GB | Genre: R&B, Neo Soul
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Loma Vista Recordings
Grammy-winning keyboardist/composer Robert Glasper has been alluring audiences with his hybrid style, which incorporates jazz, neo-soul, R&B and hip-hop elements. One of his top outings was Black Radio, released 10 years ago on the Blue Note Records, and the timing to celebrate it couldn’t have been better than now, with the third installment of the series. However, despite being thematically strong, this glossily produced music aims for a more commercial path that often doesn’t impress me.
Although finding limited thrilling moments, I would like to bring to your attention pieces such as the slow-grooving opener, “In Tune”, where the adroit spoken word of Amir Sulaiman is crossed by the sped-up trumpet lines of Keyon Harrold; “Why We Speak”, where jazz-funk vibes embrace the breezy voice of Esperanza Spalding and the unmistakable rapping of Q-Tip (founder of the alternative hip-hop pioneers A Tribe Called Quest); and a catchy neo-soul interpretation of Tears For Fears’ massive pop hit “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, here deeply sung by Lalah Hathaway.
My second group of choices is “Black Superhero”, a lustrous blend of jazz, soul and hip-hop with a strong anti-racism message as it urges every one to find black inspiration through the steely words of rappers Killer Mike and Big K.R.I.T. and the voice of BJ the Chicago Kid; and “Better Than I Imagined”, a R&B cut that brings H.E.R. and Meshell Ndegeocello’s vocal melodies and spoken word, respectively, to the foreground while having drummer Justin Tyson flexing his muscles with kick-and-snare drum patterns in the back.
Glasper uses this album to uplift heavy hearts but don’t expect anything groundbreaking, especially in its second half. If “It Don’t Matter” sounds unexceptional, even with a competent vocal pairing between singers Gregory Porter and Ledisi, then the throwback dance-pop-soul of “Out of My Hands” or the drained closer “Bright Lights” are dismissible. Black Radio III is an uneven album with just a few inspired tracks.
Tracklist:
1-01. Robert Glasper – In Tune (03:18)
1-02. Robert Glasper – Black Superhero (05:55)
1-03. Robert Glasper – Shine (06:28)
1-04. Robert Glasper – Why We Speak (06:19)
1-05. Robert Glasper – Over (04:55)
1-06. Robert Glasper – Better Than I Imagined (04:51)
1-07. Robert Glasper – Everybody Wants To Rule The World (05:41)
1-08. Robert Glasper – Everybody Love (05:03)
1-09. Robert Glasper – It Don’t Matter (05:27)
1-10. Robert Glasper – Heaven’s Here (03:56)
1-11. Robert Glasper – Out of My Hands (05:35)
1-12. Robert Glasper – Forever (05:45)
1-13. Robert Glasper – Bright Lights (04:02)
2-01. Robert Glasper – Lemonade (01:20)
2-02. Robert Glasper – Therapy pt. 2 (03:22)
2-03. Robert Glasper – Something I Wouldn’t Do (05:45)
2-04. Robert Glasper – Lola Crying (Interlude) (01:30)
2-05. Robert Glasper – My Queen (04:42)
2-06. Robert Glasper – Hi (02:24)
2-07. Robert Glasper – Invitation (03:41)
2-08. Robert Glasper – Easy To See (Interlude) (01:54)
2-09. Robert Glasper – Voyage To Atlantis (06:40)
