Few in the jazz world command respect on par with
pioneering pianist and composer Herbie Hancock,
and his most recent release, “River: The Joni Letters,”
shows why.
Though lacking in the barn-burner department,
the soultry wisdom of the musician comes out in
a kaleidoscopic display of timbre and rhythm. The
conversational approach to the music pays homage to
Hancock’s longtime friend and collaborator, Canadianborn
singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell.
Hancock’s elite squadron for the album was hand
picked with the help of Mitchell’s producer, Larry
Klein. The incredible Wayne Shorter lends his abilities
on tenor and soprano saxophones, while paramount
bassist Dave Holland holds down the low end with
badness and sass that is essential in a studio setting.
The newer additions, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and
guitarist Lionel Loueke, prove that to hang with
Hancock, you have to groove with grace.
Also enlisted in the creative process, aside from
Mitchell herself, are vocalists Norah Jones, Tina
Turner, Corinne Bailey Rae, Luciana Souza and
Leonard Cohen.
Tuner’s track, “Edith and the Kingpin,” features a
glimpse back to Hancock’s electronic experimentalist
days, while Turner’s voice pierces with maturity. A
twinge of funk also is brought to the fray thanks to
Holland and Loueke.
Tracks like “Court and Spark,” featuring Norah
Jones, and “Both Sides Now” hit the heart hard with
harmonic heartiness. Hancock’s savvy is naturally
effortless yet anchors the rest of the band with conviction.
Corinne Bailey Rae sings Mitchell’s “River,” a song of
the holidays and a longing to escape from the monotony
of an isolated life. The homegrown vibes set by the
acoustic guitar and twinkling piano comments blend
marvelously with Rae’s sexy and honest voice.
Mitchell even lends her expertise on her song,
“Tea Leaf Prophecy.” Like a full-bodied red, her lines
exchange with Hancock and Shorter in complex
dialogue that leaves a pleasant taste in its wake.
With the exception of one or two tracks, the whole
album features Colaiuta playing with brushes instead of
sticks, creating a hushed, smoky sound that goes well
with Hancock and Shorter’s minimalist lines, which
give away no hint of backgrounds stepped in bebop.
Fans of Hancock will surely be pleased with this gem.
The music is both contemplative and relaxing, giving
the listener a treat for just about any mood, from the
deepest funk to the most jubilant exuberance.
Grade: A+
Download (don’t steal): “Harlem in Havana” by Herbie Hancock.