Ken Burns Jazz-Herbie Hancock
In conjunction with the release of Ken Burns ten-part, 19-hour epic PBS documentary Jazz Columbia issued 22 single-disc compilations devoted to jazz's most significant artists, as well as a five-disc historical summary. Since the individual compilations attempt to present balanced overviews of each artist's career, tracks from multiple labels have thankfully been licensed where appropriate. This volume illustrates Herbie Hancock s metamorphosis from one of acoustic hard bop's finest composers to a pioneer of electric jazz-rock fusion, and finally into his brief yet popular flirtation with electro (the breakdance music that was techno's immediate forerunner). Serving in Miles Davis legendary '60s quintet would have made Hancock a major figure in hard bop regardless, but his own albums for Blue Note were consistently impressive as well. Each of the four tracks here from those works -- "Watermelon Man," "Cantaloupe Island" (later sampled by jazz-rappers Us3 for a major hit), "Maiden Voyage," and "Speak Like a Child" -- are stone-cold classics. Hancock s highly popular fusion era is represented by three selections: one from his Mwandishi band that recorded for Warner Brothers and two from his Headhunters years on Columbia And, of course, there's "Rockit," the catchy, all-electronic single that became a surprise hit thanks to MTV s embrace of its innovative video. The only questionable inclusion is a latter-day recording of the Stevie Wonder tune "You've Got It Bad Girl" while it isn't bad, the space could have been used for another selection from one of Hancock s more historically important periods, since both the hard bop and fusion years were fertile enough to be covered in more detail. But even though there aren't many tracks on Ken Burns Jazz due to the lengths of the pieces included, the compilation does give an excellent idea of both the flavor and quality of Hancock s most important work. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
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Credits »
Bob Belden - Arranger
Bob Belden - Compilation Producer
Herbie Hancock - Main Performer
Herbie Hancock - Microphone
Adam Block - Project Manager
Ken Burns - Executive Producer
Michael Cuscuna - Compilation Producer
Didier C. Deutsch - Coordination
Didier C. Deutsch - Discographical Information
Jeff Jones - Executive Producer
Peter Keepnews - Liner Notes
Mark Wilder - Mastering
Francis Wolff - Cover Photo
Seth Rothstein - Project Director
Howard Fritzson - Art Direction
Ron Goldstein - Executive Producer
Nate Herr - Project Manager
Hollis King - Art Direction
Ben Young - Discographical Information
Mike Charlasch - Project Director
Patti Matheny - Coordination
Deborah Hay - Editing
Carlos Kase - Discographical Information
Bryan Koniarz - Project Manager
Seth Foster - Mastering
Jeffrey Peisch - Project Director
Jeffrey Peisch - Photo Research
John Christiana - Packaging Manager
Lauren Atlas - Packaging Manager
Sarah Botstein - Project Director
Ken Druker - Project Manager
Victoria Gohl - Photo Research
Kristin Kozusko - Coordination
Adam Owett - Art Direction
Darren Salmieri - Coordination
Nathan Savage - Design
Clare Walker - Packaging Manager
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