The Imagine Project : Limited Edition

Herbie Hancock's star-studded The Imagine Project was several years in the making, recorded in seven countries with musicians from all over the globe. Hancock's band with producer/bassist Larry Klein, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, percussionist Alex Acuna, and guitarist Lionel Loueke is a common denominator. Most selections are interpretations of well-known pop, folk, and soul songs. The best things here are indeed fine. There's a gorgeous reading of Baden Powell's “Tempo de Amore” thanks to Lucas Martins' bassline and CeU's singing. “Space Captain” by the Derek Trucks-Susan Tedeschi Band --with Hancock and Colaiuta -- brings out a much-needed soulful grit to Tedeschi's vocals, gospelized four-party harmony, and tough slide playing by Trucks. Bob Dylan's “The Times They Are a Changin'," with Lisa Hannigan's raw, emotive vocals, is underscored by interplay between the Chieftains and Toumani Diabate's kora and Hancock's piano. The tune actually moves past its American folk revival beginnings to reflect a worldwide sentiment. “Tamatant Tilay”/”Exodus” pairs the nomad Malian guitar band Tinariwen’s song with Bob Marley's classic. Hancock’s trio, K’NAAN, Tinariwen, and three members of Los Lobos are all featured on vocals. Tinariwen dominates with Hancock’s funky clavinet pushing against their snaky wall of guitars and ululating singing; it's the hippest track here. Klein’s “The Song Goes On” features Anoushka Shankar, Wayne Shorter, Chaka Khan, and K.S. Chithra with some lyrics translated into Hindi for the Indian vocalists. A full-on Indian session band interacts with Shorter’s knotty soprano sax, and the only truly engaged Hancock piano playing on the set. ~ Thom Jurek

輝かしいクロスオーヴァーな経歴を持つ彼だからこその、多彩なゲストを招いた70歳記念の大作。インディア・アリーとの"Imagine"など歌モノでも魅せつつ、"Space Captain"ではデレク・トラックスとインプロ合戦を繰り広げ、ウェイン・ショーターとの緊張感溢れる"The Song Goes On"ではインド古典音楽にアプローチするなど、＜鍵盤のマエストロ＞たる彼のピアノが溌刺と弾む。その飽くなき探究心、最高だぜハービー！
bounce (C)高木雄一郎