Audio CD review:
Herbie Hancock - Mr. Hands

Herbie Hancock - Mr. Hands

Band: Herbie Hancock Title: Mr. Hands Rating: Release Date: 1992-05-11 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Spiraling Prism 2: Calypso 3: Just Around the Corner 4: 4 A.M. 5: Shiftless Shuffle 6: Textures

MR. HANDS DOES IT AGAIN Hands" is Herbie's last artistic gasp during the classic fusion era of the 70's. It may not be the majestic spaced out funk of "Headhunters" and "Thrust", but "Mr. This album has a more laid back smooth jazz vibe, but its far from watered down. Adding a touch of brazilian flavor into his Jazz Funk, Herbie was able to deepen the template he helped pioneered several years back. Since Herbie does chase down every jazz trend of the moment(circa 1979), Mr. Hands sound like a period piece at times but, Herbie is able to employ enough inventive dynamics within the compositions to keep it from sounding too dated. "Spiraling Prism" opens the album lovely with a smooth strak bassline that makes you feel like you're swimming in a ocean and the coolness of the water washes you away with it's liqiud flow. "Calypso" is exactly what the tile indicates. It's latin styled jazz number with Tony Willams pounding the skins as if he's spreading fire with a blow torch and he's committing first degree arson because his playing is that relentless. "Just Around the Corner" is nice piece of funky disco jazz. Eventhough the synth touches can become a little bit annoying, the steady bassline makes it a standout on the album. "4 AM" has a bassline that gives the track a nocturnal feel. Picture how the early mourning looks outside when it begins to light up and you'll get a accurate description of the type of vibe "4 AM" carries. "Shiftless Shuffle" is the most unique track on the album as a turbulent drum beat is set to a fast and funky bassline that sounds like a off beat blend that becomes a interesting experiemental track by accident. Herbie pulls out the stops with his solo performance. "Textures" is the track that steals the show. It sounds like Herbie is painting picutres for the mind. As the track progreeses, it sounds like he's moving closer to completing his portriat. There's not much more I can write about this album but, if you're looking for some mentally stimulating music, your mind is in good hands with "Mr. Hands". . Timeless I never knew the name of the song but everytime I went into a music store I would do my best to describe it. I first heard the song "Spiraling Prism" when I was 15 years old. Of course no one ever knew what the Sam Hill I was talking about! In my twenties, driving home from work, I heard the song on our local jazz station. I immediately called and asked what the song was and the DJ told me, what I thought was, "Sparkling Prism". So, for the next several years, everytime I went into my favorite record store (Record Theater in Dewitt, NY - very sadly, now defunct) I would search every Herbie Hancock album, cassette, cd but sadly nothing. UNTIL, one of my afternoon music fix shopping sprees, I look through a rack of $3. 99 cassettes and picked up an unfamiliar Herbie Hancock cassette. When I turned it over, the very first song was Spiraling Prism! I could barely contain myself. I was 36 when I finally found Mr. Hands. I played nothing but Spiraling Prism in my car for a solid week! I'm 42 now, and that one song still gives me goosebumps! Enjoy this album!!! . Not a bad album. The tracks on here are quite melodic and funky as well. Herbie Hancock laid it down once again on this solid recording. This cd is definitely worth having in one's jazz collection. . !!its 4A.M. JACO PASTORIOUS TIME (YA dig)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HANDS) I SAID OKAY DADDY AND GUESS WAT?THEY DID LATER THAT DAY WE GOT HOME, OUT OF ALL THE DAMN CDS WE BOUGHT THE FIRSTS CD HE PUT WAS MR. LOOK IM A JAZZ FUSION FREAK LETs SAY 3 YEARS AGO ME AND MY DAD WAS HAVING A LITTLE BUYING CDS OUTING AND I CAME ACROSS HERBIE hancock and i asked my dad is there any herbie hancock cds i aint got thats good he thought about it a little bit then he said OH yea (MIKEY I SAID WAT? DAD HEY SEE IF THEY GOT THIS HERBIE HANCOCK ALBUM CALLED MR. HANDS AND HE WAS VERY ANXIOUS FOR ONE PARTCULAR SONG HE WAS HUMMING IN THE CAR THAT SONG WAS (4A. M. ) WHEN HE PUT THAT JAM IN I WAS JAMMING WITH HIM AND PLUS THE SONG 4A. M. STARTS OFF GOOD SO YOU WILL KNOW IT JACO PASTORIUOS PLAYS GOOD BASS ON THIS SONG TOO ALSO HERBIE SCORES VERY GOOD ON THE FENDER RHODES WHICH IS MY FAVORITE KEYBOARD THAT I ALSO HAVE IN MY HOUSE ANYWAY. . DONT BE FOOLED BY THE MADE IN 1980 CUZ HE WENT SOUL FUSION SERCHING ON THIS ONE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ALBUM IS 4a. m. ,and a few others heres are my jazz fusion ratings. . . . herbie hancocks. . . fender rhodes playing 9 out of 10 herbie synth work is average 7out of 10 jaco pastorious guest stars for 4a. m. harvey mason is back and funkin real good paul is doing his thing the works this is a must have album for you fusion fans out there who wants to do some reminicing going to work or just crusing you dig. seeyaaa. Great Album The highlight is definitely Jaco's bass playing on 4 AM. One of my favorite Herbie albums. What a rhythm section! Herbie, Jaco, and Harvey Mason on the same track!. You can see a complete list of all Herbie Hancock discography, or go back to the Herbie Hancock tabs