NASCIMENTO, MILTON & ESPERANZA SPAULDING / MILTON + ESPERANZA – 2XLP

Milton + esperanza a new album by Brazilian legend Milton Nascimento and decorated musiciancomposer esperanza spalding will be released August 9 on Concord Records. Recorded in Brazil over the course of 2023, Milton + esperanza is a dream-come-true collaboration and musical representation of a friendship that was first kindled nearly 15 years ago. The album features 16 tracks that celebrate and reimagine five of Nascimentos beloved classics, newly written originals by spalding, and fascinating interpretations of The Beatles A Day In The Life and Michael Jacksons Earth Song among other works that lovingly explore the music of Brazil and far beyond. Special guest appearances include Paul Simon, Dianne Reeves, Lianne La Havas, Maria Gad, Tim Bernardes, Carolina Shorter, Shabaka Hutchings and more. Milton + esperanza sparkles with duets between these two iconic voices, exquisite musicianship and what spalding identifies as a central theme of the album the importance of younger generations creating with, learning from, and building new worlds with elders.

Milton Nascimento is a once-in-a-generation talent, the pride of Brazil and beloved across the globe. The Brazilian pop vocalist Elis Regina once declared that if God had a voice, it would be Miltons. Nascimento began making records in the late 60s and was immediately recognized as an evocative lyricisthis subject matter encompasses protest songs and the natural world; songs of friendship, love, and racial harmonywith the brilliant ability to create unpredictable melodies, textures, and harmonics.

Nascimentos music has influenced generations of talents; including a young spalding, who first heard his music while hosting a dinner party with Brazilian friends. One of her guests put on Native Dancer, Nascimentos 1975 collaboration with saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter. I get chills even thinking about it, she says. It was a life-changing moment Ninety percent of things I write, Im thinking of him. Im thinking of his voice. Im imagining singing it with him. Hes a very present part of my creative imagination.

A dream that spalding never would have expected to come true, they met in Brazil and a friendship was formed (thanks in part to an introduction made by Herbie Hancock). Their first collaboration would be on spaldings 2010 release Chamber Music Society, with Nascimento singing on Apple Blossom.

Milton + esperanza was made throughout 2023 and is produced, arranged and executive produced by spalding. Though some work was done in the States, much of the recording happened in Rio; authenticity and connection are crucial to the project. It features spaldings 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 Kain Do Jje and Ronaldinho Silva, and Lula Galvo and Guinga on guitar.