Robert Glasper Experiment with Chrisette Michele at Variety Playhouse: 13 highlights

Robert Glasper Experiment, with Chrisette Michele, and surprise guests Bilal and Musiq at Variety Playhouse, Sun., March 4, 2012.

Thirteen highlights:

1. Hosts Jamal Ahmad of WCLK-FM (91.9) and Derek Harper of WAMJ-FM (107.5/97.5).
2. Opening song: Radiohead-esque riff that runs right into “A Love Supreme.”
3. Lots of stories from Glasper, including one about Ledisi taking just five minutes to write “Alright” during one 3 a.m. session.
4. Chrisette Michele’s supremely jazzy voice on “Afro Blue,” and every other song she laced that night.
5. Chrisette Michele’s green dress.
6. How Glasper’s haughtily humorous introduction of Bilal — “Well, actually, he sucks!” — is indicative of Glasper’s personality in general. “Letter to Hermione” shined nonetheless.
7. The Experiment jamming out while waiting for Bilal to return to the stage for more singing.
8. Electric bass player Derrick Hodge’s solo leading into Floetry’s “Say Yes” — not a stretch considering Hodges was on the original recording.
9. The crowd’s enthusiastic response when Glasper asked if there were any J Dilla fans in attendance.
10. Recognizing the Experiment’s take on rock classic “Teen Spirit” by Nirvana. It took a minute.
11. Surprise guest Musiq harmonizing with Michele on “Ah Yeah.”
12. Glasper acknowledging the blessing it is to have seen Dilla make “Reminisce.”
13. Bilal grabbing his mic out of the stand once he realized Musiq had joined him on stage, like a nonverbal “Oh shit! Let’s do this!”