Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Herbie Hancock

Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Herbie Hancock

ASIN: B000050HVS

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Herbie Hancock is the only musician to emerge after 1960 who gets included in the 22 CDs of the Ken Burns Collection, and it's an inclusion that's inevitably controversial. As obviously talented as Hancock is, he isn't a great soloist or composer or a major innovator. Instead, he's had the ability to be on the cutting edge of trends, often initiating rather than following them, and he can create memorably catchy riffs that have led to enduring popularity for some of his tunes. That ability is apparent from the outset here with "Watermelon Man," an infectious Latin soul groove featuring bop tenor great Dexter Gordon, that's set deep in the Blue Note ethos of the early 1960s. "Cantaloupe Island" and "Maiden Voyage" added floating rhythms and a cool spaciousness to the style, and with the contributions of trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and drummer Tony Williams may represent Hancock's most durable work. The 1968 sextet of "Speak Like a Child" signals Hancock's expanding interest in texture with bass trombone and alto flute, an inclination that finds further expression in 1969's "Tell Me a Bedtime Story" by Mwandishi, his first band to incorporate electronics. Synthesizers and funk rhythms dominate the Headhunters' 1973 "Chameleon," while "Actual Proof" demonstrates just how creatively Hancock could use layered keyboards. The synthesizers and programming reach their limit on the 1983 hit "Rockit," a studio product that shows just how far Hancock would travel from his original premises. Ironically, it's the earlier material here--especially Hancock's acoustic Blue Note period--that sounds most contemporary. --Stuart Broomer

Tracks:

Watermelon Man
Cantaloupe Island
Maiden Voyage
Speak Like A child
Tell Me A Bedtime Story
Chameleon
Actual Proof
RockIt
You Got It Bad Girl

Amazon.com

Herbie Hancock is the only musician to emerge after 1960 who gets included in the 22 CDs of the Ken Burns Collection, and it's an inclusion that's inevitably controversial. As obviously talented as Hancock is, he isn't a great soloist or composer or a major innovator. Instead, he's had the ability to be on the cutting edge of trends, often initiating rather than following them, and he can create memorably catchy riffs that have led to enduring popularity for some of his tunes. That ability is apparent from the outset here with "Watermelon Man," an infectious Latin soul groove featuring bop tenor great Dexter Gordon, that's set deep in the Blue Note ethos of the early 1960s. "Cantaloupe Island" and "Maiden Voyage" added floating rhythms and a cool spaciousness to the style, and with the contributions of trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and drummer Tony Williams may represent Hancock's most durable work. The 1968 sextet of "Speak Like a Child" signals Hancock's expanding interest in texture with bass trombone and alto flute, an inclination that finds further expression in 1969's "Tell Me a Bedtime Story" by Mwandishi, his first band to incorporate electronics. Synthesizers and funk rhythms dominate the Headhunters' 1973 "Chameleon," while "Actual Proof" demonstrates just how creatively Hancock could use layered keyboards. The synthesizers and programming reach their limit on the 1983 hit "Rockit," a studio product that shows just how far Hancock would travel from his original premises. Ironically, it's the earlier material here--especially Hancock's acoustic Blue Note period--that sounds most contemporary. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

A Fine Compilation of an Underappreciated Artist.......2004-08-01

The Ken Burns Jazz series of compilations, have been, by and large, succinct but well-chosen, and affordable, one-disc compilations of the entire careers of some of the greats of jazz. Herbie Hancock is perhaps the youngest and most contemporary artist to get this retrospective treatment (and if I'm not mistaken, the only living jazz artist other than Dave Brubeck in the series). In my opinion, it's well deserved. Hancock has always had a knack for creating the memorable jazz melody, and many of the songs here have an enduring appeal. "Watermelon Man" became a top 40 hit for Mongo Santamaria in the '60's, and "Cantaloupe Island" was sampled for the US3 hit, "Cantaloop" in the 90's. Hancock also has had a knack for riding the crest of musical trends, often fueling them himself. Having been in Miles' Davis group in the late Sixties was certainly a contributing factor, especially when his music began to incorporate funk, as on the "Headhunters" album (represented here by "Chameleon"). His biggest hit, "Rockit", which employs funk, synths and scratching, was actually in MTV's video rotation when it was out in 1984. Some criticize Hancock for his apparent "commercializing" of jazz and embracing of rock and funk in his music, but I say he has done a splendid job of catching the ears of folks who may not normally pay attention to jazz, not to mention his influence on contemporary artists like Medeski, Martin and Wood. I don't know if an artist's forty-year career can ever be properly encapsulated on one CD, but this one does about as good a job as possible.

A bad compilation.......2003-03-15

Every song on this disc is derivative and dull EXCEPT for "Rockit" (which doesn't hold up very well after all these years) and "Chameleon." "Chameleon" is on HEADHUNTERS, so you might as well just buy that CD instead. This album is full of bad imitations of the polite jazz from the 1950s. Non-creative, forgettable, etc. "Actual Proof" sounds like an outtake from Zappa's ONE SIZE FITS ALL, which gives it a certain time-warped charm.

But still...one star.

Very eclectic jazz stylings.......2001-08-08

Before getting this album, the only song of Hancock's that I was really familiar with was "Rockit", although I had heard "Chameleon" once or twice. So it was a nice suprize to hear his many styles of jazz on one album. Some people may not like his electric, synthesizer-driven jazz of the 70's, but for someone who is not sure, this album is a great place to decide, as it has a good variety of his styles. Including his more "traditional" earlier stuff as well. The booklet includes photos and an informative essay on Hancock.

An excellent introduction to the styles of H. Hancock.......2001-08-03

Yes, I am a big fan of Herbie Hancock in his many incarnations. He has created memorable albums and tunes that have now spanned more than 30 years, and trying to get an overview of his work is not necessarily the easiest of tasks. For instance, if you are only familiar with his 70's hits or the "Headhunters" years, you could easily miss out on some of his early pure jazz tunes which have been sampled and sampled for the last decade or so.

This album takes many of the hits from "The Best of Herbie Hancock; The Blue Note Years" and adds in a few additional tunes that show his wide range of styles, both acoustic and electric. If you own more than two of Herbie Hancocks albums, then this might not be the collection for you, but for those unfamiliar with his work, this might just be the introductory collection that gets you hooked. Highly recommended.

Wide view of Hancock's music.......2001-06-25

If there's one word I think of every time I listen to this CD, it's "Evolution." It's fun to watch Herbie Hancock change from his early days as one of the greatest jazz piano players, through his "Headhunters" period, all the way to the pop hit "Rockit". Quality for music for long time jazz fans and beginners alike. Recommended.

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