Philadelphia Weekly

MUSIC

On the Record: Esperanza Spalding, Ruben Studdard & More

By Bill Chenevert

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Mar. 27, 2012

Esperanza Spalding

Radio Music Society

(Heads Up International)

Sounds Like: Smooth, adult contemporary jazz from the Portland, Ore.-born, Grammy-winning Best New Artist, with flecks of funk, hip-hop and R&B, all sweetened by her gorgeous vocals.

Free Association: Sure was hoping this would be funkier—this is suitable for geriatrics.

For Fans Of: Tame Jill Scott x subdued bass-playin’ Angie Stone + drugged Baduism.

School of Seven Bells

Ghostory

(Vagrant)

Sounds Like: The guy from Secret Machines got with some sexy twin lady vocalists (one’s since left); their third is fascinatingly brilliant and eerie electronic dream pop.

Free Association: They’re named after a mythical gypsy training school—awesome.

For Fans Of: Telepathe x Prefuse 73, Cocteau Twins + Chromatics, goth shoegaze.

Justin Townes Earle

Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now

(Bloodshot)

Sounds Like: The son of Steve Earle (and named after Townes Van Zandt) has big shoes to fill and he does so stylishly with loads of unassuming Nashville, Tenn.-flavored talent.

Free Association: No revolution of style or genre here, just well-executed Americana.

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