Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Recognised as one of the most prolific jazz pianists of all time, Herbie Hancock played with greats such as Donald Byrd and Miles Davis. He was one of the first to embrace and master the electric piano. He bounced back and forth between his electronic and acoustic sound, touching upon almost every development in R&B, funk and jazz while retaining an original and distinctive voice. Fat Albert Rotunda is the eighth album by Hancock, released in 1969 and his first release for Warner Bros. since his departure from Blue Note Records. The music was originally done for the TV show 'Hey, Hey, Hey, It's Fat Albert' and was a noticeable change in style - incorporating soul music as the basis of his compositions.

Review: Blue Note's Classic Vinyl series is about reissuing vital jazz records on heavyweight vinyl with all new mastering by Kevin Gray of Coherant Audio. Next to get the special treatment it deserves is Herbie Hancock's 1965 classic Maiden Voyage, which is some of the most evocative jazz to have ever been recorded. Net to Hancock, the players were all either present or past members of Miles Davis' quintet, so made for a heavy line-up. Hancock's impressionistic style is here for all to hear with the sublime compositions of 'Dolphin's Dance' and 'Maiden Voyage' and more tumultuous sounds of 'The Eye Of The Hurricane' some of the highlights.

Review: Jazz pianist Herbie Hancock sure did love to record music. The New Standard was his fortieth, four oh, album and not by a long way was it his last. It came in 1996 on the Verve label and is the sound of the great American musicians offering up his own jazz renditions of classic and more contemporary rock and r&b tunes. The star-studded sextet also features saxophonist Michael Brecker, guitarist John Scofield, bassist Dave Holland, percussionist Don Alias and drummer Jack DeJohnette with some of the original tunes by the likes of Peter Gabriel, Prince, Kurt Cobain and Stevie Wonder.

Review: Blue Note's Classic Vinyl Series turns its focus to the one and only Herbie Hancock here for another superb reissue that will keep the jazz heads happy. His long player Empyrean Isles landed in 1964 as his fourth overall. For this one Hancock linked up with his Miles Davis bandmates including Ron Carter on bass and Tony Williams on drums with Freddie Hubbard also on board with his trusty trumpet. The record works through hard bop and modal as well as plenty of soulful jazz sounds and is another standout in Hancock's discography.

Review: Fat Albert Rotunda represents one of Herbie Hancock's earliest forays into jazz-funk and is centred around the music he composed for the Fat Albert cartoon show. Released between his landmark album Maiden Voyage in 1965 and the classic Head Hunters from 1973, it stands out in Hancock's catalogue - despite said catalogue being so packed with gems. The album features funky tracks like 'Fat Mama' and jazz-oriented tunes such as 'Tell Me A Bedtime Story', wih Hancock supported by a stellar sextet including Joe Henderson on tenor sax, Johnny Coles on trumpet and Buster Williams on bass. Although Hancock's work spans various developments in jazz, funk, and r&b, he always maintained a unique voice, and this is a great example of it at its most distinctive.

Review: Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage, recorded in 1965, remains a cornerstone of jazz history, capturing the the era's musical evolution. The ensemble, featuring notable players like Freddie Hubbard on trumpet and George Coleman on tenor sax, creates a rich blend of sound that resonates with listeners. Hancock's piano feels more vibrant, with increased dynamic range, while Hubbard and Coleman's horns possess a lifelike clarity with this new pressing. The bass from Ron Carter has a rich pluck and Tony Williams' drumming resonates beautifully as the celebrated pianist navigates a sonic ocean with his stellar MDQ crew, crafting a series of tone poems that evoke the essence of water. Hancock's compositions explore the delicate balance of movement and stillness, with Coleman providing a reassuring anchor amid the chaos. Freddie Hubbard's more disruptive approach contrasts beautifully, adding depth to the texture. The rhythm section is perpetually in motion, embodying the album's theme of fluidity. Tracks like 'Survival of the Fittest' show Hancock's deft architecture, oscillating between chaos and calm, making for a timeless exploration of sound and emotion, a masterpiece that resonates through the ages.

Review: Speak Like A Child by Herbie Hancock is a groundbreaking album that defies categorization, blending elements of post-bop, modal jazz, and funk into a cohesive and forward-thinking sound only to be slotted into a wide spanning genre like Jazz-Fusion. The title track, 'Speak Like A Child', is a standout composition that highlights Hancock's signature piano playing, characterized by its lyrical melodies and inventive harmonies. The album features intricate arrangements and complex rhythms, with each track offering a unique sonic journey for the listener. Hancock's ability to push the boundaries of traditional jazz while maintaining a deep respect for the genre's roots is clear throughout the album. 'Speak Like A Child' remains a landmark recording in Hancock's discography, cementing his status as one of the most influential figures in modern jazz.