This review was originally posted in another thread.
But since i've seen no discussion on it since this release was in the pending stage, I decided to give it a thread of its own.
(with a couple of alterations based on a few more listens)

Plus this allows me to dump my purveyor of the past reputation and discuss some recently released music.

Herbie Hancock...



...Possibilities

I was pleasantly surprised by this CD. Certain tunes are just OK while others are spectacular.

Stitched Up (John Mayer)
Just OK. Don't really dig the song itself.
Weak opening track based on what else is available here.

Satiatou - (Santana & Angelique Kidjo)
Groove reminds me of Smooth from Supernatural.
Standard Santana guitar.

A Song For You - (Christina Aguilera)
I was prepared to dislike this piece but it's actually one of my favorites.
Very good arrangement. One of the best Hancock piano solos on the disc.
Sounds like what a mature almost calmed-down Christina could sound like.
Her vocal only made me cringe once or twice.

I Do It For Your Love - (Paul Simon)
Excellent arrangement. Beautiful piano intro and throughout.
The Paul Simon vocal is superb in this setting. Another fav.

Hush, Hush, Hush - (Annie Lennox)
Very emotional piece. Not a great Annie Lennox fan but she gets props on this one.

Sister Moon - (Sting)
One of the best vocals I ever heard from Sting. Never gets pitchy.
Great arrangement.

When Love Comes To Town - (Jonny Lang & Joss Stone)
I'm not real fond of either one of these two and this piece did nothing to change my opinion.
Doesn't touch the B.B.King version. The Hancock solo and when the band takes over on the outro are what brings the tune to life for me.

Don't Explain - (Damien Rice & Lisa Hannigan)
Great arrangement. The cello solo will break your heart.
Haunting vocals from Damien & Lisa

I Just Called To Say I Love You - (Raul Midon)
Wow! The combination of the spectacular arrangement and Raul's stellar vocal transforms this tune from a Wonder pop ditty to a truly heartfelt ballad and shows the song's true potential. You even get Stevie on harmonica. Another fav.

Gelo Na Montanha - (Trey Anastasio)
Interesting instrumental mood piece.

Very difficult to hide Hancock's harmonically brilliant piano playing even when challenged with a couple of average tunes.
It's not Maiden Voyage but it does show his versatility and what a musical Chameleon he can be.


Anyone that's into skillful musicianship/attention to melody/artful arrangements/mature lyrics/superb singing, this is right up your alley.
All centered around a master musician who's provided almost 50 years of incredible music.


My review.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

I would change the ratings a bit

Stitched Up ~ it's a fun song
Sister Moon ~ great jazzy feel
When Love Comes To Town ~ nothing. this cut messed my groove

LadyFunkSoldier said:

I'll go along with you on those.

But damn, I was trying to be kind on When Love Comes To Town.
You've gotta admit the band is happening, especially at the end.
It's the vocals that cause the problem.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

thanks for the review, i'm going to get this asap.

Thanx for your as always, tA.I will probably pick this up soon.

BTW, in spite of criticisms in the Jazz world, HH has always dabbled in pop,so this release isn't too surprising...

I just wasn't too sure about some of the guests...

...

Yeah, I was worried about the guest list too, but I've been pleasantly surprised at what I've heard! It is purchased!!


...

Very cool, thank you for posting this.

I was wondering about this but I love everything Herbie has done.

Recently came across "Feets don't fail me now" which is out of print and while it reeks of disco, there's a few great funk jams on it.

every time I read the title of this album I keep hearing that
sample that was at the start of the live version (from NPGMC)
of "The Return of the Bumpsquad".

that voice that goes "AAAAAW the POSsibilities!"

i love it. I posted about this on Saturday, I think. The Annie Lennox track, in particular, is fantastic. But the entire record is excellent. I didn't mind the U2 cover, although it wasn't one of my favorites. what shocked me the most was Christina Aguilera. That girl can SING. i really don't care for her material usually, and haven't really paid that much attention to her in the past, but damn... she does a great job on her song on Possibilities.

theAudience said:

if there was a way to drop the vocals it would be off the hook as a instramental. i was trying to give joss the benefit of the doubt but she is just killing me.

my answer is yes tA

see orgnote

AndGodCreatedMe said:

Thank you so much

Lovin' the Annie track.

Lord help, I didn't know something like this was out. (rushes back home and burns all his Hancock records, even the "New Standards" tape, which could have been easily taped over but rushed to burn it as well in horror)

JonSnow said:

Darn "SEARCH" function.





tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

I dig Stitched up and the Damien Rice song



dig it

For those that are still on the fence, one of the main reasons these tunes sound as good as they do must be attributed the musicians playing on the tracks.
(Isn't that always the case?)

Stitched Up:
John Mayer (vocals, guitar)
Michael Bearden (keyboards)
Willie Weeks (bass)
Steve Jordan (drums)

Safiatou:
Carlos Santana (guitar)
Angélique Kidjo (vocals)
Michael Bearden (keyboards)
Chester Thompson (organ)
Dennis Chambers (drums)
Benny Rietveld (bass)
Raul Rekow (percussion )
Karl Perazzo (percussion)

A Song for You:
Christina Aguilera (vocals)
Michael Bearden (keyboards)
Bashiri Johnson (percussion)
Nathan East (bass)
Teddy Campbell (drums)

I Do It For You Love:
Paul Simon (vocals, guitar)
Pino Paladino (bass)
Steve Jordan (drums)
Cyro Baptista (percussion)
Jamey Haddad (percussion)
Gina Gershon - Yes that Gina Gershon (jew’s harp)

Hush, Hush, Hush:
Annie Lennox (vocals)
Steve Lewinson (bass)
Peter Lewinson (drums)
Tony Remy (guitar)

Sister Moon:
Sting (vocals)
Michael Bearden (keyboards)
Lionel Loueke (guitar)
John Patitucci (bass)
Cyro Baptista (percussion)
Steve Jordan (drums)

When Love Comes To Town:
Jonny Lang (vocals, electric guitar)
Joss Stone (vocals)
Greg Phillinganes (keyboards)
Reggie McBride (bass)
John Robinson (drums)
James Harrah (acoustic guitar)

Don’t Explain:
Damien Rice (vocals)
Lisa Hannigan (vocals)
Shane Fitzsimons (bass)
Tomo (drums)
Vyvienne Long (cello)

I Just Called to Say I Love You:
Raul Midon (vocals, guitar)
Steve Wonder (harmonica)
Greg Philinganes (keyboards)

Gelo Na Montanha-1st Movement:
Trey Anastasio (guitar, vocals)
John Patitucci (bass)
Cyro Baptista (percussion)
Steve Jordan (drums)
Jennifer Hartswick (vocals)

All the songs, even the ones i'm not particularly fond of, sound great.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Sdldawn said:

Don't Explain is beautiful.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

I just heard "Stitched Up" and I like it. It is catchy. I wish it was on iTunes. I could just download that song and save myself some money.

jasonstar said:

or you could just soul seek


we dont mind

Sdldawn said:

Is that a slam..? or a program to download?

theAudience said:

That would be me! Thank you for this review--I've been seeing it on the televison lately and was wondering if it was as good in it's entirety as the snippets I heard.

I got this and I'm somewhat surprised to say it's very good.

PFunkjazz said:

How about that.

Bottom line I figured even with certain suspect pairings, the fact that HH was playing would only let it attain a minimal suckage quotient.

tA


Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

You have to imagine that the Joss Stone Johnny Lang thing was some kind of marketing thing rather than a real musical respect from Herbie.

God, he could have gotten B.B.!

Or maybe go the other direction with Steve Vai.

I've heard this record is good, especially the Christina song, surprisingly.

I just picked this up this weekend (with a little help from a Border's 25% off coupon). GREAT CD. No one can touch Donny Hathaway's Song for You, IMHO. I can't listen to his version without getting a lump in my throat. However, Christina's version on this CD was respectable. I love the re-working of Sister Moon. Overall, just another really solid effort from Herbie. He's on the cover of this month's DownBeat; he discusses the disc: www.downbeat.com

NuPwr319 said:

Herbie is also on the cover of the September issue of JazzTimes.

Just saw him on 'Round Midnight last night.


tA


Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

this album keeps getting better everytime I play it.... i hope they remember it come Grammy time