Esperanza Spalding "Junjo" on vinyl:

Just picked up a copy of Esperanza Spalding's less known first LP, "Junjo" on vinyl. Spanish pressing - needed a cleanup, but overall nice and quiet. I don't know if I am 'into' Spaldings other two more recent records. But this one I am.

It is a trip record, with Spalding's magnificent bass out front, very flamenco, wonderfully Mediterranean in feel, jazz, the joy of a young artist making here first recorded statement, without major label pressure or expectations. As such, this may be the most distilled and pure expression of Spalding's talents. She is an amazing bass player with a tone and dexterity with an endless imagination. She sings too - wordlessly, generally, and that takes the music to a whole new place.

Fantastic record. Mastered well for vinyl. A minor masterpiece. I hope Spalding gets back to this, which I am sure she will in some way over what will be a stellar career.