MWANDISHI: THE COMPLETE WARNER BROS. RECORDINGS

This is absolutely great compilation. It consists of three full Herbie Hancock albums from one of his peak time periods placed in chronological order.

The first one is "Fat Albert Rotunda" originally released in 1969. First Hancock Warner Bros album is nice transitional step from his acoustic post-bop works to electric jazz-rock. Still played with all-jazz musicians with heavy post-bop roots, album contains good evolutional works with jazz fusion elements. Heavy in brass, rich in melodies, album isn't a masterpiece, but strong Hancock work.

Two next original albums, placed again in chronological order, are first two Mwandishi Trilogy albums "Mwandishi"and "Crossroads". Both are very experimental examples of early free form jazz-rock with electronic effects and psychedelic space all around. Often reviewed like best ever Hancock albums, are in all cases most interesting works in his discography.

The compilation doesn't include new material at all, so for those who own these albums yet there is no reason to purchase it at all. For all others it is excellent possibility to get all three great Hancock albums in one place ( and at very attractive price). Sound quality is perfect and original albums are quite rare in a market. So - just take it and you will know why Herbie Hancock is one of greatest jazz fusion keyboard player in the world!

Very recommended, strong 4,5!

Putting Mwandishi (Hancock's African name) in the title of this collection was sort of misleading. I had assumed this was the complete collection of Herbie's incredible avant- fusion Sextet (confusingly enough, also called Mwandishi). Unfortunately, it turns out that about half of the Sextet's small discography is on Columbia, so what we get on this Warner collection is two progressive psychedelic Sextet albums, plus Fat Albert Rotunda, Herbie's first shot at funky RnB jazz. Fat Albert is 60s rare groove jazz at it's best, but it's no match for the esoteric excursions of the far more adventurous Sextet. The only thing these two disparate recording ensembles have in common is Hancock himself, and his unique innovative small horn ensemble orchestrations, as well as his usual futuristic space lounge sensibilities.

Hopefully someday someone will make a CD collection of The Mwandishi Sextet's three studio albums, plus their contributions to Hancock's Death Wish soundtrack and their reunion appearance at Herbie's first VSOP concert. For a really fantastic box set they could also include all the incredible Sextet spin-off groups led by Hancock's side men; Bennie Maupin, Eddie Henderson and Julian Priester.

This Warner collection isn't a bad introduction to the music of Herbie Hancock. You get the fun grooves of Fat Albert, plus the African space orchestra odysseys of the Sextet. That combination of intellectual challenge with warm human emotion pretty much sums up Herbie's amazing music and career.