Jazz pianist Robert Glasper returns with his third album for Blue Note Records, Double-Booked. Titled such purposefully, the album is a testament to Glasper’s versatility and perhaps his ADHD. Pulling from his work as with his Experiment and Trio bands, the album is a mix of wild-eyed Jazz and quirky, kinda Jazz/kinda not, pieces.
The intriguing “No Worries” opens the album in grand fashion. Clocking in at a little over seven minutes, the songs goes through so many phases that it probably could have been broken up into a few individual tracks. It’s an excellent way to inaugurate the affair. The more experimental “Festival” is another highlight, trading off groove and lounge appeal at all the right moments. Other highlights include the ridiculously smooth “59 South” and the soaring “Open Mind” (which features some vocal work as well) that brings Double-Booked to a close.
This is my first experience with Robert Glasper’s work so I don’t have a whole lot of point of reference here. What I can safely say is that this is an excellent introduction to a very, very amazing pianist. Glasper is one of those artists that quickly erases himself from the picture, leaving only the song to shine. So get yourself a good glass of wine, a warm summer evening, pull up a comfortable chair on your back porch, and put on Double-Booked. It’ll make for a great night.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
