Emily's D+Evolution

Emily's D+Evolution is the fifth studio album by the American musician Esperanza Spalding, released on 4 March 2016 on Concord Records. The album was co-produced by Spalding and longtime David Bowie collaborator Tony Visconti.[1][2] On the album, Spalding sings through the alter ego of Emily, which is her middle name.[3][4] In an interview, Spalding stated that Emily "is a spirit, or a being, or an aspect who I met, or became aware of. I recognize that my job...is to be her arms and ears and voice and body".[5]

Emily's D+Evolution
Studio album by Esperanza Spalding
Released	4 March 2016
Studio	NRG Studios, North Hollywood, California The Magic Shop, Manhattan, New York HUMAN (NYC), New York City, New York
Genre	Jazz jazz fusion funk art rock
Length	45:44
Label	Concord
Producer	Esperanza Spalding Tony Visconti
Esperanza Spalding chronology
Radio Music Society (2012) Emily's D+Evolution (2016) Exposure (2017)

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
AnyDecentMusic?	7.9/10[6]
Metacritic	84/100[7]
Review scores
Source	Rating
All About Jazz	[8]
AllMusic	[1]
Exclaim!	7/10[9]
The Guardian	[10]
Now	[11]
Robert Christgau	[12]
Pitchfork	8.6/10[5]
PopMatters	[2]
Rolling Stone	[13]
Stereophile	[14]

Emily's D+Evolution received widespread critical acclaim from contemporary music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 84, based on 14 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim".[7]

Marcus J. Moore of Pitchfork Media praised the album, stating, "The lyrics are elusive at first, darting behind fast-moving songs and delivered in impressionistic, conversational bursts that recall the delivery of Joni Mitchell. But the fearless generosity behind them communicates itself loud and clear, and it's a spirit that animates the entire album. With it, Spalding has once again redefined an already singular career, dictating a vision entirely on her own terms".[5]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Esperanza Spalding, except where noted.

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Good Lava"		3:38
2.	"Unconditional Love"		3:46
3.	"Judas"		4:10
4.	"Earth to Heaven"		3:52
5.	"One"		3:15
6.	"Rest in Pleasure"		4:59
7.	"Ebony and Ivy"		4:20
8.	"Noble Nobles"	Esperanza Spalding Corey King	3:33
9.	"Farewell Dolly"		2:07
10.	"Elevate or Operate"		4:03
11.	"Funk the Fear"		5:07
12.	"I Want It Now"	Anthony Newley Leslie Bricusse	2:51
Total length:			45:44

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Emily's D+Evolution.[15]

Main personnel

• Esperanza Spalding – writing (1-11), vocals, bass (1-11), lyrics (8), piano (10, 12), bass synthesizer (12)
• Matthew Stevens – guitar
• Karriem Riggins – drums (2-5, 7, 8, 10), percussion (9)
• Justin Tyson – drums (1, 6, 11, 12)
• Corey King – backing vocals (1, 2, 5-7, 12), synthesizer (6), writing (8), trombone (8), keyboards (12)
• Emily Elbert – backing vocals (1, 6, 11, 12)
• Nadia Washington – backing vocals (2, 5, 7)
• Celeste Butler – backing vocals (11)
• Fred Martin – backing vocals (11)
• Katriz Trinidad – backing vocals (11)
• Kimberly L. Cook-Ratliff – backing vocals (11)
• Anthony Newley – writing (12)
• Leslie Bricusse – writing (12)

Additional personnel

• Esperanza Spalding – production
• Tony Visconti – production (2-5, 7-10), mixing (2-5, 7, 9, 10)
• Kyle Hoffman – engineering
• Tim Price – engineering
• Erin Tonkon – assistant engineering
• Kyle McAulay – assistant engineering
• Martin Cooke – assistant engineering
• Nicolas Fournier – assistant engineering
• Rich Costey – mixing (1, 6, 8, 11, 12)
• Mario Borgatta – assistant mixing
• Lawrence Azerrad – graphics, design
• Holly Andres – photography

References

1. Collar, Matt. "Emily's D+Evolution". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
2. Layman, Will (11 March 2016). "Emily's D+Evolution". PopMatters. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
3. Chinen, Nate (17 May 2015). "Review: Esperanza Spalding Recalls the Creativity of Youth in New Songs". New York Times. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
4. Johnston, Maura (3 March 2016). "Berklee's Esperanza Spalding thrills with new album". Boston Globe. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
5. Moore, Marcus J. (4 March 2016). "Emily's D+Evolution". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
6. "Emily's D+Evolution by Esperanza Spalding reviews | Any Decent Music". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
7. "Emily's D+Evolution by Esperanza Spalding". Metacritic. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
8. Turner, Mark F. (12 April 2016). "Esperanza Spalding: Emily's D+Evolution". All About Jazz. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
9. Warren, Michael J. (2 March 2016). "Esperanza Spalding: Emily's D+Evolution". Exclaim!. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
10. Fordham, John (3 March 2016). "Esperanza Spalding: Emily's D+Evolution review – unconditionally terrific". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
11. CLARKE, CHRISTINE (9 March 2016). ">>> Esperanza Spalding: Emily's D+Evolution". Now. Now Communications. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
12. "Consumer Guide Reviews: Emily's D+Evolution". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
13. Weingarten, Christopher R. (4 March 2016). "Emily's D+Evolution". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
14. Baird, Robert (17 May 2016). "Recording of June 2016: Emily's D+Evolution". Stereophile. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
15. Emily's D+Evolution (LP liner notes). Esperanza Spalding. Concord Records. 2016. CRE-38281-01.CS1 maint: others (link)