In My Element

Released in 2007, In My Element is Robert Glasper's second outing for Blue Note Records and a pivotal document in the 'New Jazz' movement. While his debut, Canvas, introduced his melodic sensibilities, this album solidified his signature 'hip-hop-meets-bop' aesthetic. Recorded at Systems Two in Brooklyn with bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Damion Reid, the record showcases a trio with telepathic chemistry. The album is notable for its overt embrace of non-jazz influences, specifically the 'J Dillalude' medley honoring the late hip-hop producer and the mashup of Herbie Hancock with Radiohead. Critics from AllMusic and BBC Music praised the album for its accessibility and rhythmic innovation, noting Glasper's ability to make the acoustic trio sound like a sampling unit. It reached top positions on the Billboard Jazz charts and remains a cornerstone of 21st-century piano trio literature, predating his more crossover-heavy Black Radio series.