Herbie Hancock ‎– Sextant

fucking wicked record, been ripped off by global communications to mention but one. very mad stuff, equals bitches brew by miles davis easily. good stoner record

Over ten years before 'Rockit' hit the shelves, and was subsequently played to death on the airwaves, this multi-talented monster of jazz was already producing sprawling electro-jazz masterpieces. 'Sextant' was one of the more intricate of the releases Hancock produced during his highly creative 'Mwandishi' period (1970-1973).

The opening track 'Rain Dance' is the most electronic-sounding and probably the most unconventional of the three tracks on the album. Dr. Patrick Gleeson provides some of the synthwork, most notably a looped synth 'bloop, bloop' that runs and snakes its way through the loose free jazz-funk workouts. The other two tracks lean towards a more regulated style, but are still comparatively loose in form.

Unlike many experimental jazz/fusion releases that came out in the early-70s, there is a definite electronic presence in this album that makes it as much an electronic release as it is an avant-garde/jazz one. Save for the previous 'Crossings' release, this is probably one of the most original recordings Hancock has released. Should be a hit with the electro-kids too!

This album is the last of Hancock's 'cosmic' CDs and follows on from "Crossings" and takes the angular funk of "Bitches Brew" and adds electronics from Dr Patrick Gleeson & heavily modified Fender Rhodes to take it 'out there'. The standout track for me is "Rain Dance" with its strange rhythmic pulse juxtaposed with a jazzy vamp in the middle. The next track, "Hidden Shadows", must be the only time a Mellotron makes it onto a jazz album.

IMHO, this CD is a must have.