Mwandishi

Description

Herbie Hancock recorded this album in 1970, at the beginning of the jazz fusion movement, and was still transitioning from post-bop and avant-garde jazz to fusion. The first thing he did was use electronic instruments and experiment with the format of jazz songs. This is the first album with the Mwandishi Sextet, where each member has a Swahili name assigned to them (Mwandishi was Herbie's name). The album features 3 very different tracks. "Ostinato (Suite for Angela)" is composed of an ostinato (riff for rockers) in 15/8 time signature, and the entire group relies on this continuous and hypnotic riff, with improvisation and dynamic changes. "You'll Know When I Get There" is quite soft and calm compared to the other two songs. "Wandering Spirit Song" is an almost free jazz piece, with as much tension as the listener tries to breathe during the moments of release. It is a mystical album and should be listened to as such.