Herbie Hancock – Directstep (1978/2008)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 30:38 minutes | 628 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download – Source: HDTracks | Digital booklet | © Columbia
Directstep is the twenty-fourth studio album by jazz pianist Herbie Hancock. Originally, the record was released only in Japan on December 2, 1978, via CBS/Sony label.
For the rabid audiophiles in Japan, Herbie Hancock went to Tokyo to record a direct-to-disc LP that later became one of the world’s earliest CD releases. Due perhaps to the arduous one-take-only nature of the direct-to-disc process, Hancock takes the rare step of using a second keyboardist, Webster Lewis, to handle the multiple electronic textures; the rest of the cast is a quorum of Headhunters (Bennie Maupin, reeds; Paul Jackson, bass; Bill Summers, percussion), plus guitarist Ray Obiedo and drummer Alphonse Mouzon. Understandably, the music sometimes sounds a bit inhibited and structured, but there are some refreshingly jarring rhythmic disruptions in “Butterfly,” “Shiftless Shuffle” eventually develops a fine roadhouse groove, and the extended “I Thought It Was You” cuts the original version on Sunlight. The LP sound is excellent, especially the rock-solid bass and drums. ~~ AllMusic Review by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist:
01 – Butterfly
02 – Shiftless Shuffle
03 – I Thought It Was You
Musicians:
Herbie Hancock – Fender Rhodes, clavinet; Oberheim OB-X, Prophet 5, Yamaha CS-80 and Minimoog synthesizers; vocals, Sennheiser Vocoder
Webster Lewis – Hammond B-3 organ; Prophet 5, Yamaha CS-40, ARP String Ensemble and Minimoog synthesizers; Fender Rhodes, backing vocals
Bennie Maupin – soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, lyricon
Ray Obiedo – Electric guitar
Paul Jackson – electric bass
Alphonse Mouzon – drums
Bill Summers – percussion
Note: Recorded in 44.1kHz, mastered to 96kHz .
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