The debut recording by acoustic upright bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding, a native of Portland, OR, is an exercise in joy and freedom. Well rendered for such a very young musician, it’s quite notable, considering the certainty of her concept and clarity of her vision. While steeped in contemporary jazz, there are Latin flavors, unabashed free moments, and some implied and direct swing. Further, it is an expression of her well-being, optimism, and future hope for her life in this music. Also in her peer group, pianist Aruan Ortiz and drummer Francisco Mela add a hundredfold to this music and establish themselves as leaders-to-be, and are quite capable partners for Spalding’s wonderful sounds. The first piece, a take of the Jimmy Rowles evergreen “The Peacocks,” let’s you know something special is going on. Spalding’s bass leads out with the probing piano of Ortiz as wordless vocals and a modal jam all precede the melody, followed by a free secti