Music Review

Canvas

Canvas by Robert Glasper, published by Blue Note Records

Reviewed by Jeff McCord

October 2005

If there were a downside to ROBERT GLASPER’s inking a deal with Blue Note Records, it would be that he is the second Houston jazz pianist to be signed to the label, forced to follow the widely acclaimed Jason Moran. Glasper is a few years younger than Moran, and both were schooled in Houston’s hip-hop mecca. Yet they sound nothing alike. While Moran is incendiary, Glasper is melodic and playful. CANVAS impresses, though its modernity is not obvious; at first, the music seems rooted in a post-bop tradition. Glasper’s originality breaks through in unexpected ways: His compositions surprise, he turns a phrase on its head, accelerates when you expect the opposite. Neatly straddling the old and the new, Glasper could be another Oscar Peterson, if only Oscar had a few Mos Def albums in his collection.

E-mail

Password

Remember me

Forgot your password?

X (close)

Registering gets you access to online content, allows you to comment on stories, add your own reviews of restaurants and events, and join in the discussions in our community areas such as the Recipe Swap and other forums.

In addition, current TEXAS MONTHLY magazine subscribers will get access to the feature stories from the two most recent issues. If you are a current subscriber, please enter your name and address exactly as it appears on your mailing label (except zip, 5 digits only). Not a subscriber? Subscribe online now.

E-mail

Re-enter your E-mail address

Choose a password

Re-enter your password

Name

  
 

Address

Address 2

City

State

Zip (5 digits only)

Country

What year were you born?

Are you...

Male Female

Remember me

X (close)