Robert Glasper has to be the biggest musical surprise for 2012. Not to be taken lightly, the jazz musician may have put together arguably the best R&B album of 2012. Those in the know understand the lush beauty that Black Radio offers. Not to let the iron cool, Glasper came back with more offerings. Black Radio Recovered: The Remix EP, in all its glory, celebrates what was great about the album with new offerings and changed mixes of previously released jams.

 

 

The good thing about this EP is the fact that it keeps the attention of the listener. “Afro Blue (9th Wonder’s Blue Light Basement Remix)” keeps the same mentality as the original with added instruments and boom bap. Georgia Anne Muldrow remixes Meshell Ndegeocello’s “Consequences of Jealousy” to make it more cosmically upbeat. Furthermore, “ Letter to Hermione” gets a remix from Robert Glasper and Jewels that adds a break beat piano loop (of sorts) to add to the moodiness of the song’s aura. In turn, the remixes hold onto the ears by taking turns at changing the musical course of previous offerings.

 

 

The bad thing (if it can be considered that) is that the EP only made the true fan salivate for more. The remix to “Twice” by ?uestlove and the Roots has Solange Knowles singing so melodically that one’s soul floats through the heavens through her words. The sendoff song, “Dillatude #2”, only plays with the emotions of the hip hop/jazz fan by making them reminisce of the days James Yancey was alive. Also, let it be noted that both songs are over 9 minutes long. In short, this EP easily made Glasper fans want more than what was given.

 

 

Black Radio Recovered: The Remix EP did what it set out to do: keep Robert Glasper’s name alive on the tongues of ADHD listeners. All the remix added elements to elevate the songs into different, yet familiar, directions. In contrast, the feeling of “wanting more” probably came over those that did get to listen. Regardless, this effort is just another chapter in Glasper’s catalog. To put it bluntly, commercial music could be recovered if the radio actually “turned Black” again.