Over the course of the last 12 days, GRAMMY-winning bassist/singer Esperanza Spalding has unveiled 12 original compositions with accompanying music videos, all posted to her website, Facebook and Instagram. The 12 track collection 12 Little Spells will be available across all streaming platforms from today, Friday October 19th, with a full physical deluxe package to be released by Concord Records in early 2019.
12 Little Spells is an exploration of the healing powers of art, with each spell inspired by a part of the body. These works were written by Spalding at a castle in Italy last month and recorded in sessions completed just this month in Brooklyn. The recordings feature Spalding on vocals, Matthew Stevens on guitar, Justin Tyson drums, Aaron Burnett on saxophone, Burniss Travis on bass, Corey King on background vocals and Rob Schwimmer on continuum.
In the coming days, Esperanza Spalding will also reveal details of a series of 12 pop-up shows. Each performance will focus on a single spell and feature an explosion of music and words, colour and movement. No two events will be the same, and the performances will be recorded for a live concert film that will be released next year. Exclusive limited music and items will be available only at these shows.
Collaborating with Spalding on this project are visual artist Carman Daneshmandi, opera/theatre director Elkhanah Pulitzer, wardrobe specialist Diego Montoya and video artist Ethan Samuel Young. Each has created key elements of 12 Little Spells without hearing any music, having only the project title and spell names as inspiration.
Track list and corresponding body parts:
1. 12 Little Spells – Thoracic Spine
2. To Tide Us Over – Mouth
3. Until The Next Full – Eyes
4. Thang – Hips
5. Touch In Mine – Fingers
6. The Longing Deep Down – Abdominal Portal
7. You Have To Dance – Feet
8. Now Know – Solar Portal
9. All Limbs Are – Arms
10. Readying To Rise – Legs
11. Dancing The Animal – Mind/Brain
12. With Others - Ears
