Record Reviews
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  | GRIFFITH PARK COLLECTION ~ THE GRIFFITH PARK COLLECTION 2 IN CONCERT
WOUNDED BIRD 6262 (Barcode: 664140626225) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1982 Released: 2008
2nd album by an ad-hoc US Jazz super-group Griffith Park CollectionFind albums by this artist, which was put together by drummer Lenny WhiteFind albums by this artist and included trumpeter Freddie HubbardFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Joe HendersonFind albums by this artist, pianist Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist and bassist Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist – all Masters of the trade and veteran American Jazz Giants. White is the link between all these players, as he previously played in Henderson´s and Hubbard´s bands and of course he was a member of Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist with Corea and Clarke.
The quintet is in many respects similar to the V.S.O.P.Find albums by this artist quintet, which in turn was modeled after the famous second Miles DavisFind albums by this artist quintet. They play modern Jazz, strongly based on the Bebop tradition, but pushing the boundaries into modal and sometimes Free Form. Following the recording of their only studio album, the band performed several concerts, which produced these live recordings, which are more relaxed and much expanded, with fearsome long solos. The music is all original by the quintet members except for two standards, performed superbly with flair and breathtaking virtuosity, as expected from these great musicians. This album was unavailable for almost two decades and it´s great to have it back in circulation. A must for modern Jazz lovers!
| | | CD 2 Recommend To A Friend |
  | HERBIE HANCOCK ~ FAT ALBERT ROTUNDA
WARNER BROS. 47540 (Barcode: 093624754022) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2001
Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist’s solo career (apart from his work done with his Mentor Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, with whom he stayed for over five years as the member of the legendary second quintet) produced an overwhelmingly diverse body of work which positions him as one of the Giants of 20th Century music. After recording a series of excellent and immensely influential albums on the Blue NoteFind albums on this label label in the 1960’s, Hancock switched to Warner Bros.Find albums on this label where he recorded just three albums, this one being the first of these.
Recorded shortly after Hancock left the Miles Davis group, it contains music he wrote for a TV series, rearranged for a jazz sextet. The funky approach was Hancock’s first attempt to play around with funk (influenced among others by the revolutionary work done with the genre at that time by Sly & The Family StoneFind albums by this artist). This started a love affair that would be extensively developed a few years later after Hancock switched labels again, this time to ColumbiaFind albums on this label. He plays the Fender Rhodes electric piano exclusively leaving the acoustic piano aside for a few years until the formation of the V.S.O.P.Find albums by this artist quintet. The funky arrangements are extremely clever and exquisitely performed by the sextet, which includes Joe HendersonFind albums by this artist on flute and sax, Johnny ColesFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Garnet BrownFind albums by this artist on trombone, Buster WilliamsFind albums by this artist on bass and Albert HeathFind albums by this artist on drums. The music sounds beautifully fresh and vibrant today, loosing nothing of its original charm and magic. A timeless classic!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | HERBIE HANCOCK ~ THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA ALBUM COLLECTION 1972-1988
SONY 886977240829 (Barcode: 886977240829) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1972 - 1988 Released: 2013
This monumental Box Set (31 albums, 3 of which are double CDs) presents the recording legacy of American keyboardist / composer / bandleader Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist during his most productive and groundbreaking two decades, in which his albums were released by ColumbiaFind albums on this label (and SonyFind albums on this label in Japan). Columbia was Hancock´s third record label; his initial recording career (1962-1969) was spent with the legendary Blue NoteFind albums on this label label, where he recorded a series of brilliant and pioneering albums as a leader and dozens of albums as a sideman, many of which are considered as part of the canon of Jazz recordings. After a short period of recording for the Warner Bros.Find albums on this label label (1969-1972) he signed with Columbia, which was quite natural considering that Hancock was a member of the second legendary Miles DavisFind albums by this artist quintet (1963-1969) and took part in many projects Davis led after the quintet disbanded, all of which were recorded for Columbia. Several of the albums in this box, which were originally released only in Japan, make their appearance outside of Japan for the first time.
The content of this Box Set emphasizes the incredible musical versatility and truly chameleonic nature of Hancock as an Artist. He plays in many settings, from solo keyboards, duos (with Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist for example), trios (with Ron CarterFind albums by this artist and Tony WilliamsFind albums by this artist) and ensembles like the pioneering Jazz-Funk Headhunters or the incredible V.S.O.P.Find albums by this artist quintet, which followed in the steps of the second Miles Davis quintet, with trumpeter Freddie HubbardFind albums by this artist replacing Davis and the rest of the players being the original quintet members. It also shows Hancock as a composer of soundtracks ("Death Wish" and "Round Midnight") and his affiliation with World Music.
Musically the box covers an incredibly wide cross-genre musical plateau, covering such varied areas as modern Mainstream, Jazz-Rock Fusion, Jazz-Funk Fusion, Jazz-Soul Fusion, electronic and ambient music, orchestral music, Jazz-Classical Fusion and any other. Hancock´s exceptional talent as a composer is exposed here in the fullest and confirms his status as one of the most influential and revolutionary Jazz musician ever. His skills as a player are of course completely unparalleled and have served as a model for generations of young musicians all over the world.
It wouldn´t be an exaggeration to state that this box contains some of the most important Jazz recordings made to date and as a legacy its value is absolutely priceless and unique. It is of course worth every penny of this reasonably priced and beautifully packaged Box Set, even if one owns some of these albums separately already. Grab the box and give the older versions to your friends; they will surely be grateful and thank you.
This is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history, music history and human Cultural legacy, which is way beyond recommendation. Simply a must!
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: | CD 34 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | HERBIE HANCOCK ~ THE PIANO
COLUMBIA 87083 (Barcode: 5099708708320) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1978 Released: 2004
As hard as it is to believe, this is the debut solo piano recording by Jazz Giant Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist. Aged 38 at the time of this recording, Hancock was at that time already a worldwide Jazz star with a resume, which only a very few other Jazz musician could produce. His recordings with Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, V.S.O.P.Find albums by this artist and his projects as a leader include some of the finest Jazz music ever recorded, yet strangely he seldom attempted to perform solo piano pieces. Therefore this recording is a milestone and a rare document of the illustrious career of this great musician.
Recorded in Japan, this album was initially only released on the Japanese market, It took 26 years to have it finally released worldwide (the usual record companies bullshit), which is a true crime. The only consolation comes as the bonus tracks available on this issue. The original album included seven tracks (this issue adds four alternate versions), three of which are standards and four are original compositions by Hancock. His delivery is of course divine, breathtakingly beautiful and deeply touching. Hancock always had the incredible gift to utilize his extraordinary technical skill to express his deep lyricism and emotional insightfulness, which are even more evident on these recordings, considering him sitting alone at the piano. This is an absolute must for every piano-loving music connoisseur.
| | | CD 1 Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
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