BLOG | JUN. 11, 2025

esperanza spalding's new album with Milton Nascimento

Bassist, singer, and songwriter, esperanza spalding, (Tape Op #147) has just released new music, a collaboration with Brazilian legend Milton Nascimento.

esp

Milton + esperanza is a delightful listen that has foundational roots in Brazilian traditional music, but is decidely modern in its sonic layers and ambient soundscape interstitials. The 16 song album reimagines five Nascimento's classics, spalding originals and some wildly inventive covers of both The Beatles' "A Day in the Life", and Michael Jackson's "Earth Song".

Much of the album was recorded in Rio, and features spalding's core band of Matthew Stevens (guitar), Justin Tyson and Eric Doob (drums), Leo Genovese (piano), Corey D. King (vocals, synths), and several Brazilian musicians, including Orquestra Ouro Preto, percussionists Kainã Do Jêje and Ronaldinho Silva, and Lula Galvão and Guinga on guitar. If that wasn't enough, it also features guest appearances from Paul Simon, Dianne Reeves, Lianne La Havas, Maria Gadú, Tim Bernardes, Carolina Shorter, and Shabaka Hutchings.

Milton + esperanza was produced by spalding.

It's a perfect soundtrack to watch the clouds roll by on an Autumn afternoon in Central Park, or a coastal drive in some farway land.

Tape Op is a bi-monthly magazine devoted to the art of record making.

Or Learn More

MORE ENTRIES

New Jeff Tweedy song and video,  “Feel Free”

BLOG

New Jeff Tweedy song and video, “Feel Free”

By John Baccigallupi

August 25, 2025

Larry interviewed Jeff Tweedy of Wilco back in Tape Op#132 along with his son, Spencer Tweedy, and engineer Tom Schick at the band’s The Loft Studio...
Superchunk's new album, Songs in the Key of Yikes, is out now!

BLOG

Superchunk's new album, Songs in the Key of Yikes, is out now!

By Larry Crane

August 22, 2025

The new Superchunk album is here, and – no surprise – it rocks. I interviewed singer/guitarist/songwriter Mac MacCaughan way back in 2009 [Tape...
New Album from Raymond Antrobus and Evelyn Glennie: Aloud

BLOG

New Album from Raymond Antrobus and Evelyn Glennie: Aloud

By Geoff Stanfield

August 19, 2025

Raymond Antrobus and Evelyn Glennie [Tape Op#154] return with a new album, Aloud, part two of their spoken word poetry collaboration. Produced...
New Music From John Cale, Gunna, The Black Keys, and More!

BLOG

New Music From John Cale, Gunna, The Black Keys, and More!

August 9, 2025

There was some good music released this past week from Tape Op interviewees!John CaleMiXology (volume 1)John Cale [Tape Op#156] released MiXology...
Talking Heads Release More Songs About Buildings and Food (Deluxe Edition)

BLOG

Talking Heads Release More Songs About Buildings and Food (Deluxe Edition)

By Geoff Stanfield

July 29, 2025

Following their debut album Talking Heads: 77, More Songs About Buildings and Food found the band working with producer Brian Eno [Tape Op#85], which...
New Music From Jamie Lidell: Places of Unknowing

BLOG

New Music From Jamie Lidell: Places of Unknowing

By Geoff Stanfield

July 18, 2025

Larry Crane interviewed Jamie Lidell for Tape Op#129, and we chatted with Geoff Swan [#43] about Jamie's 2005 album, Multiply, for episode #27 of...
Gina Birch Releases New Album, Trouble

BLOG

Gina Birch Releases New Album, Trouble

By Geoff Stanfield

July 11, 2025

We interviewed Gina Birch for Tape Op#154 around the time of her 2023 release, I Play My Bass Loud. Her new album, Trouble, again produced by Youth,...
New Album Never Enough and “Seeing’ Stars/Birds”video from Turnstile

BLOG

New Album Never Enough and “Seeing’ Stars/Birds”video from Turnstile

By Corey Reidy

July 8, 2025

With assistance from Will Yip who we interviewed in Tape Op#151, along with A.G. Cook (Charli XCX, Caroline Polachek), and Jason Lader (Jenny Lewis,...
Paramore's Zac Farro Releases "1"

BLOG

Paramore's Zac Farro Releases "1"

By Geoff Stanfield

July 8, 2025

We interviewed Paramore drummer Zac Farro for Tape Op#144, and he hasn't slowed down much since. In addition to his work with Paramore, he has...