HERBIE HANCOCK — Fat Albert Rotunda (review)

HERBIE HANCOCK — Fat Albert Rotunda album cover Album · 1969 · Funk Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
dreadpirateroberts
Herbie Hancock brings a big dose of R&B and Funk to his jazz.

Wedged between 'The Prisoner' and 'Mwandishi,' 'Fat Albert Rotunda' reveals a directness when compared to the records immediately surrounding it. This doesn't rate among my favourite Herbie Hancock albums, but it has a lot of great moments that remind me, every time I put it on, that it's probably unfair to overlook it.

It should be obvious that such subject matter would call for the bottom heavy trombone to be added to the horns (which doesn't feature on a lot of Hancock albums), along with guitar to help give it that R&B-Funk feel. It's full of nice brass arrangements and electric piano playing from Hancock, along with two surprises, the drifting ballad 'Jessica' and 'Tell Me a Bedtime Story' which is also quite gentle for album with an otherwise big sound, and is perhaps the most satisfying composition on 'Fat Albert Rotunda.'

Throughout, Hancock sets up a more repetitive structure for the songs, which are in general shorter than his usual compositions, and have more focus on a funk or R&B rhythm. His soloing is as melodic as ever, it's really hard to fault him and far be it from me to try. Henderson is also given space to unload on the sax but the overall focus is not necessarily on the lead instruments. Instead you'll probably find yourself noticing the the drumming of Heath and Purdie. Not every song is truly distinctive, but 'Lil Brother' (which features Purdie) rocks out and 'Oh! Oh! Here He Comes' is another great track on the funkier side of the album. While I don't find myself playing this one as much as his other albums, it's definitely a great R&B-Jazz record with some Funk feel. A couple of wonderful surprises ('Jessica' and 'Tell Me a Bedtime Story') take this up to three and a half stars.
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