On first glance this record would not seem to have much promise from a jazz standpoint.
Herbie Hancock
performs a set of tunes which include numbers from the likes of
Peter Gabriel
,
Stevie Wonder
Sade
Paul Simon
Prince
the Beatles
(
"Norwegian Wood"
) and
Kurt Cobain
. However by adding vamps, reharmonizing the chord structures, sometimes quickly discarding the melodies and utilizing an all-star band,
Hancock
was able to transform the potentially unrewarding music into creative jazz.
, who sticks to acoustic piano, shows that he is still in prime form, taking quite a few fiery solos. With
Michael Brecker
on tenor and surprisingly effective soprano, guitarist
John Scofield
, bassist
Dave Holland
, drummer
Jack DeJohnette
and percussionist
Don Alias
(along with an occasional horn or string section that was dubbed in later), the results are often quite hard-swinging and certainly never predictable. Although it is doubtful that any of these songs will ever become a jazz standard,
has successfully created a memorable set of "new" music. Well worth investigating. ~ Scott Yanow