Herbie Hancock - Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Herbie Hancock

List Price: $11.98
Our Price: $9.95
You Save: $2.03 (17%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $1.39 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details

CD Details

Music reviews of Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Herbie Hancock

Music Review: Herbie Hancock's multiple musical personality disorder...
Rating: 4 Stars

Though not all would agree with me, I believe electronics and funkier Sly Stone-like rhythms were creatively fused with jazz by Hancock in the mid-1970s, as represented here by CHAMELEON and ACTUAL PROOF. After that--again, an arguable point--I see Hancock spending most of the next two decades in two unsatisfactory musical climates: Firstly, a series of uninspiring acoustic small-group jazz reunions with primarily his former Miles Davis sidemen. Secondly, concocting mostly tepid disco/funk excursions that relegated Hancock's improvisation-based keyboard talents into limbo. Neither setting is represented here.

One exception: Herbie's three mid-1980s collaborations with Bill Laswell had a progressive edge. I think this collection would have had better continuity if AUTODRIVE--with an acoustic piano solo by H.H.--had been included instead of the sololess MTV hit ROCKIT...but I guess the latter was too popular to ignore. Finally in the 1990s, Hancock showed signs of trying to place his keyboard talents in fresh surroundings, which brings us to the mid-90's track YOU GOT IT BAD GIRL...where his multiple musical personalities seemed to converge for the first time in two decades.

For the potential buyer, be forewarned that this CD moves into areas so musically diverse that you may wonder how these tracks can be by the same artist. Rest assured, even us long-time Hancock fans continue to ask that question. It is somewhat enigmatic--and maybe appropriate--that the last quarter century of Herbie's career is represented by two tracks, while roughly the first decade gets seven cuts. For newcomers, this disc will give you a sufficient sampling...then you can explore any or all periods further if you like some or all of what you hear.

Description of Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Herbie Hancock

Dance & DJ CDs

• Music > Styles
• Jazz
• Pop
• R&B