Herbie Hancock CD Review
Herbie Hancock
The Essential Herbie Hancock
(Columbia/Legacy)
Chicagoans who only know their prodigal son for “Rockit” have a chance to learn more about one of jazz’s consistently vital contributors.
https://illinoisentertainer.com/2006/03/15/herbie-hancock-cd-review/
A decade before the mechannequin video clip that stitched Herbie Hancock’s name into MTV lore, he was one of the most reviled and simultaneously beloved figures in jazz. An early champion of fusion, his departure from Blue Note Records spoke virtual blasphemy in jazz circles because it coincided with his decision to go electric. He enjoyed Top 40 success on the pop charts, launched a popular single (“Chameleon”), all during a crucial period when jazz seemed to be spiraling violently out of control.
Hancock emerged from the firestorm as an innovator and pioneer, modifiers that eluded him since his emergence as a savant of a composer and music theorist from a young age. Essential spends just more than half of Disc One exploring Hancock’s pro career as a member of Miles Davis’ legendary quintet, also featuring a Sonny Rollins side among solo cuts. From there, the collection jumps around in his electric era as Hancock more obsessively pioneered electronic instruments, sometimes to the detriment of his compositions. You wouldn’t know it from “Stars In Your Eyes” he was at his creative bottom, rejuvenated suddenly by “Rockit” and taking off into his bipolar ’80s and beyond, where he lived a double life as a traditionalist and rule breaker.
The Essential Herbie Hancock is a valiant attempt to capture Herbie Hancock in all his phases. While perhaps a valuable primer for neophytes, more serious collectors will find little more here than a skeletal outline.
— Steve Forstneger
