03 Jan
Live Under The Sky by Herbie Hancock / V.S.O.P.
- Written by Mark Keresman
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In 1979, a bunch of big-name jazz hepcats got together to revisit/pay tribute to the style of music that put 'em on the map in the first place: Hancock, Williams, Carter, Shorter, and Hubbard, all save the latter alumni of THE Miles Davis Quintet of the 60s. Further, all save Carter came "under attack" by jazz's old guard for their forays into fusion (of, alas, varying quality): Hancock's Headhunters, Hubbard's CTI recordings, Shorter in Weather Report, etc. The group V.S.O.P. was perhaps their way of saying to the world, "Bleep you, we still got it," as, in these live-in-Japan concert recordings, they audibly SURGE with fiery creativity, immediacy and an OOMPH that's practically "rock & roll" as energy levels go, as the Fab Five go to down on modal hard-bop-with-free-jazz-touches originals and select standards. This set was out in '79 as a two-record set -- thanks to the modern marvel known as the Compact Disc, this 2-CD set contains the original album on CD one, and CD two contains a previously unreleased concert performance from the night following that of CD one. Everybody shines, but Hubbard in particular is amazing, bristling with a rare intensity that's practically feverish, surpassing even the heights on many of his own albums. VSOP - Live Under The Sky is surely one of the best reissues of 2004, essential for their fans and recommended for those curious neophytes wondering "what all the fuss was about" re: these guys at their respective/collective peaks.
Additional Info
- Artist / Group Name: Herbie Hancock / V.S.O.P.
- CD Title: Live Under The Sky
- Genre: Contemporary Jazz / Modern
- Year Released: 2005
- Reissue Original Release: 1979
- Record Label: Columbia / Legacy
- Musicians: H. Hancock: piano / F. Hubbard: trumpet / W. Shorter: saxophone / R. Carter: bass / T. Williams: drums.
- Label Website: http://www.legacyrecordings.com
- Rating: Five Stars
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
