Sumptuous arrangements, sparkling duets, an alluringly structured song list, with playing and singing that immediately takes up residence in your heart, Milton + esperanza is an unforgettable, life-affirming album and a loving paean to musical communion.

Produced and arranged by spalding, the album presents 16 tracks that bridge generations and musical worlds. Five classic Nascimento songs include the transporting ‘Outubro’ and the utterly gorgeous ‘Morro Velho’, both excerpted from his 1969 album Courage, while Nascimento's consummate 1972 double album recorded with Lô Borges, Clube Da Esquina, is represented by the affecting ‘Cais’. spalding originals including the effervescent ‘Wings for the Thought Bird’ featuring flautist Elena Pinderhughes and the superb Orquestra Ouro Preto, the aphoristic ‘Late September’ (“It is time/This is the way”) featuring Shabaka Hutchings on sax, plus the supremely catchy ‘Get It By Now’ showcase her evolving artistry.

We’re also treated to inspired interpretations of The Beatles’ ‘A Day in the Life’ and Michael Jackson's ‘Earth Song’, the latter performed by the mighty Dianne Reeves. Alongside spalding's core US band plus Brazilian musicians including percussionists Kainã Do Jêje and Ronaldinho Silva, and guitarist Lula Galvão, the album's impressive roster of guests also includes Paul Simon, Lianne La Havas, Maria Gadú, Tim Bernardes and Guinga.

A musical collaboration which began more than a decade ago with the Brazilian legend guesting on spalding's 2010 album Chamber Music Society, this remarkable, full-length work concludes with Wayne Shorter's ‘When You Dream’, featuring Wayne's widow Carolina Shorter, which pays moving tribute to spalding's late mentor and collaborator.