Jazz supergroup R+R=NOW have shared a moving live recorded cover of Kendrick Lamar’s seminal song “How Much a Dollar Cost”.
R+R=NOW consists of a dream team line up including Robert Glasper on keys, Terrace Martin on synthesizer, vocoder, and alto saxophone, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah on trumpet, Derrick Hodge on bass, Taylor McFerrin on synthesizer, and Justin Tyson on drums. R+R=NOW first formed in 2017 when Robert Glasper put together a line up for an SXSW performance. He chose an all star team of accomplished jazz musicians to make up the band. “How Much a Dollar Cost” is the first single from their upcoming live album R+R=NOW Live. R+R=NOW recorded R+R=NOW Live during Robert Glasper’s one month residency at New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club.
R+R=NOW’s rendition is graceful and elegant. The band’s performance of the song is vital, buzzing with radiant energy. Glasper’s glistening piano chords dance over crisp drums and a warm bass line. The piano performance is full of emotion while showing maturity and discipline. Moreover, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah delivers a visceral, spirituous trumpet performance. Overall, the brass section is moody and heady, intoxicating the listener. Altogether the band comes through with a regal, beautiful rendition of the modern classic “How Much a Dollar Cost”.
R+R=NOW’s performance is moving and emotive. They are a band composed of an incredible amount of talent, and that is made obvious with this performance. Interestingly, band member Terrace Martin co-wrote the original “How Much a Dollar Cost” with Kendrick Lamar, so the decision to cover this song makes further sense. "How Much a Dollar Cost" will be featured on their upcoming album R+R=NOW Live, due February 12.
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