MWANDISHI

Some interesting information in the liner notes for this album. I didn't know that Herbie was a child prodigy, playing Mozart as an eleven year old with the CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ! Not that there's been any question about his talent or progressive ideas."The group that made this album would stay together for four years, laying down a unique textural sophistication of suavely blended horns and fluid rhythms behind Hancock's fluid inner and outer space improvisations on electric keyboards."Mwandishi" meaning "composer" in Swahili, was also Herbie's adopted name, a self given appellation...". It was the start of a new decade (1970) and this album marked a new direction musically for Hancock.

"Ostinato (Suite For Angela)" was a tribute to political activist Angela Davis. I love this track, it's so infectious. I like the way it builds until they're jamming with passion and i'm bopping around. So much energy here. Herbie says this about this song: "Having fifteen beats to a bar automatically sets up a little tension". I like when the electric piano takes the lead 5 minutes in. Just an amazing track !

"You'll Know When You Get There" is a tough one for me. I do like the flute before 6 minutes as it builds. It settles back quickly though. This building and releasing happens once more. Just not an interesting song at all for me. I pride myself in listening carefully to music and appreciating the subtle things but this is beyond me. The same could be said for the 21 1/2 minute closer "Wandering Spirit Song", except for about 6 minutes where we get an excellent experimental and avant-garde soundscpae. The rest though is so laid back and meandering.

I do prefer "Crossings" and "Sextant" to this one but this has really grown on me. A more difficult album to digest i'd say, but it's well worth the patience.