THE PIANO

Herbie Hancock

Jazz Rock/Fusion

3.52 | 18 ratings

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snobb
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator

Targeting on market situation of the moment not always is bad thing. This album is great example of it.

Late 70-s wasn't good time for progressive rock and jazz al around US and Europe both. But there were different places happily. In 1978, more or less at the same time when Hancock recorded his terrible "Feets, Don't Fail Me Now" for US market, he played and recorded one more, very different album, which wasn't noticed in US and Europe for years.

Recorded in Japan in 1978,and released for Japan-only market in 1980, such album is "The Piano". I believe no-one was interested in acoustic piano-only album of jazz in main world's music markets in 1980. Japan was a bit different. Hancock plays what he knows excellent for years - his interpretation of jazz standards (on side A) and his own original compositions (on side B). Musicianship is soulful,intelligent , showing his great talent in full. With no relations to show biz fashion (Hancock was very fast and flexible in this field) he stays one great jazz piano player.

For sure, it's difficult to name such album, released in 1980, advanced or innovative. No, really - conservative. But when disco-funk and punk were all around, release of such work was a small heroic action.

With full understanding of almost zero chances for success in Europe or States, this album was released in Japan only and for years was almost unknown obscurity in these markets. Only in 2004 it was re-released in Europe (as CD with bonuses). Pure classic acoustic jazz, it's a great release for real Hancock fans, and jazz lovers. No relation with fusion or even experimental Hancock's funky jazz though.

My rating is 3,5,rounded to 4.

snobb | 4/5 | 2010-11-22

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