Global Music Column – August

Milton Nascimento and Esperanza Spalding – Milton + Esperanza

Brazilian singer Milton Nascimento has one of the most dextrous voices in global music. From his 60s samba-funk releases as part of the Clube de Esquina movement, where he sang with a soft, soaring falsetto, to his landmark 1975 collaboration with saxophonist Wayne Shorter, Native Dancer, and ensuing work with everyone from Herbie Hancock to Yusuf, Nascimento has matched their instrumental mastery with his maturing range.

Now 81, Nascimento’s voice has developed into a beautifully rich and vibrato-laden baritone that is the focus of a lively collaboration with bassist and composer Esperanza Spalding, Milton + Esperanza. Across 16 tracks, the pair reimagine compositions from Nascimento’s catalogue, such as 1969’s Outubro and 1972’s Cais, as well as featuring new works with the likes of Paul Simon and Lianne La Havas.

Read the review in the Guardian.

[This piece was published on 09/08/24]