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12 Little Spells is the seventh studio album by American bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding. It was released on October 19, 2018, by Concord Records. 12 Little Spells debuted at number 31 on the US Billboard Top Album Sales and number 1 on the Jazz Albums chart. At the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2020, the album won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

Reception

Libby Cudmore of Paste added “Musically, there is nothing constrained about her performance as a vocalist or a bassist. It’s extremely organic, as though each song is unfolding right before you, rather than after laboring in a recording studio… This is not dinner jazz, but no one who picks up an Esperanza Spalding album expects it to be. Her voice and her bass are a listener’s guide on a tour with no map and no destination, but where wonders abound”.

Track listing

1. “12 Little Spells” Thoracic Spine 0:29
2. “To Tide Us Over” Mouth 4:53
3. “‘Til the Next” Eyes 4:17
4. “Thang” Hips 4:35
5. “Touch in Mine” Fingers 4:53
6. “The Longing Deep Down” Abdominal Portal 4:35
7. “You Have to Dance” Feet 3:27
8. “Now Know” Solar Portal 4:26
9. “All Limbs Are” Arms 3:36
10. “Readying to Rise” Legs 5:07
11. “Dancing the Animal” Mind 5:07
12. “With Others” Ears 5:52
13. “Lest We Forget” Blood 5:16
14. “How To” Hair 3:54
15. “Move Many” Joints 2:55
16. “Ways Together” Shoulders 3:45

Personnel
Esperanza Spalding – vocals, acoustic bass, electric bass
Matt Stevens – guitar, electric bass
Justin Tyson – drums, organ, synths, vocals, beats & programming
Aaron Burnett – saxophone
Burniss Travis – electric bass, acoustic bass, vocals
Corey King – vocals
Rob Schwimmer – continuum
Orchestra (“12 Little Spells”)
Eric Reed – French horn
Laura Weiner – French horn
Brandon Ridenour – trumpet
John Blevins – trumpet
Richard Harris – tenor/bass trombone
Julietta Curenton – flute, piccolo
Katie Hyun – violin
Sami Merdinian – violin

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Released: October 19, 2018
Recorded: 2018
Studio: Atomic Sound, NYC
Length: 55:41
Label: Concord
Producers:
Esperanza Spalding, Matthew Stevens, Justin Tyson