In What Language?
In What Language? is a collaborative studio album by American jazz pianist Vijay Iyer and American hip-hop musician Mike Ladd. It was released on Pi Recordings in 2003.
Critical reception
Joe Tangari of Pitchfork wrote, "What might make In What Language? truly important... is that it's focused intently on probing social issues in meaningful ways." Chris Nickson of AllMusic commented, "Written originally to be performed on-stage in a theatrical setting, it transfers well to a purely recorded medium, dense and demanding, but ultimately satisfying, inasmuch as it leaves the listener full of questions and less certain about the world." Lyn Horton of All About Jazz stated, "These composers have instituted a new paradigm for 21st century opera." Anastasia Tsioulcas of Billboard wrote, "With Iyer working as composer and Ladd as librettist, the two weave together elements of jazz, hip-hop and spoken-word art into a new, subversive kind of song cycle."Track listing
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes.- Vijay Iyer – piano, keyboards, electronics, production, mixing, liner notes
- Mike Ladd – vocals, electronics, production, mixing, liner notes, photography
- Latasha N. Nevada Diggs – vocals, electronics
- Allison Easter – vocals
- Ajay Naidu – vocals
- Rudresh Mahanthappa – alto saxophone
- Ambrose Akinmusire – trumpet
- Dana Leong – cello, flugelhorn, trombone
- Liberty Ellman – guitar
- Stephan Crump – double bass
- Trevor Holder – drums
- Scotty Hard – production