Herbie at 45

Jazz isn't really a format that lends itself well to single-ness. Of course what the no introduction necessary Herbie Hancock was doing in the late 70s and 80s isn't really considered jazz at all - at least not by those who consider themselves strictly jazz fans. Whatever, we're not really into labels anyways. What we are into is synthesizers, and so is Herbie. Although he had already used them very extensively on earlier 70s fusion work like "Sextant" and "Mwandishi," its these largely unwelcome post V.S.O.P. recordings that really set the stage for his like, fourth or fifth commercial golden era in the eighties working with the likes Bill Lazwell and GrandMixer D.St. Check him out on the rear of the first album in the series, "Sunlight." Definitely a harbinger of things (synths!) to come.


Herbie Hancock - Stars in Your Eyes This was also released as a 12" that goes for a lot because it is a special extended version unavailable anywhere else. More bubbly synths. I'm personally happy to own just the 7... it fits in well with a 7 inchers only set and the brevity is a refreshing even in a slightly neutered way.


Herbie Hancock - I Thought it was You This was also released on 12" and its also a tough one to find. Fortunately the album and 7" are quite a bit more common... I got both of these singles for a dollar each. Not that I wouldn't pick up either one if I saw them, but come on, do you really need 12 minute versions of these tracks?