I don’t know how many of you have heard this album but its a must! Herbie Hancock is one of the greatest Jazz pianists of the 20 and 21rst centuries. He combines (and always has combined) lyrical soulish melody lines within a dense and colorful “Evans-ish” harmonic framework. There is nobody like him.
He has joined with several other artists to produce a wonderful project, Possibilities. Eugene Holley’s editorial appears below.
Possibilities, by jazz piano/keyboard legend Herbie Hancock, with songs by Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, and Leon Russell, is a multigenerational masterpiece. Rock’s “it boy” John Mayer leads off the CD with the spare, bouncy opener, “Stitched Up.” Brit-born soul girl Joss Stone and bluesman Jonny Lang get down on the gutbucket “When Love Comes to Town.” Christina Aguilera’s excellent vocals illuminate “A Song for You.” Not to be outdone, Annie Lennox delivers an operatic take on Holly Cole’s “Hush, Hush, Hush,” while Sting’s “Sister Moon” swings with stealthy syncopations. Santana and the Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo provide the world flavor on “Safiotou,” and the dreamy “Gelo No Montana,” with ex-Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio, is the lone instrumental. Hancock’s tight solos and intelligent orchestral synths radiate all of the tracks. Like Frank Sinatra’s Duets and Ray Charles’s Genius Loves Company, Possibilities introduces Hancock to a new and awestruck generation. –Eugene Holley, Jr.
Go here for samples of each tune. Scroll down towards the bottom of the page to find the samples. If you are a fan of great music, this is a must for your Christmas wish list.
Posted in Jazz Music, Music
