Bobby McFerrin - Paper Music

Paper Music is an album that was recorded in collaboration with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, a renowned classical ensemble based in Minnesota, USA. The album was released in 1995 and features a unique fusion of jazz, classical, and world music elements. 

The album was inspired by a book of paper sculptures by renowned artist Calvin Nicholls, and McFerrin used the intricate, delicate nature of the paper sculptures as a starting point for the music. The album features a mix of original compositions by McFerrin as well as arrangements of works by composers such as Bach, Mozart, and Stravinsky.

The album showcases McFerrin's extraordinary vocal range and improvisational skills, as he uses his voice to mimic the sounds of instruments such as the trumpet, violin, and percussion. The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra provides a rich, orchestral backdrop for McFerrin's vocal acrobatics, and the two elements blend together seamlessly to create a stunning sonic tapestry.

Some of the standout tracks on the album include "The Train," a rhythmic, percussive piece that features McFerrin's vocal beatboxing, and "Circlesong Six," an upbeat, jazzy tune that showcases McFerrin's incredible vocal agility. The album also includes a haunting rendition of Bach's "Ave Maria," which features McFerrin's voice soaring over a lush orchestral arrangement.

Tracklist