COMPOSERS: Herbie Hancock,Wayne Shorter
LABELS: Verve
ALBUM TITLE: Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter
WORKS: 1+1
PERFORMER: Herbie Hancock (p); Wayne Shorter (ss)
CATALOGUE NO: 537 564-2
‘We didn’t want it to be “tuney” or “songy” so we stayed away from 100% writing,’ is how reedsman Wayne Shorter describes the improvisational approach taken in this collaboration with Herbie Hancock. ‘I liken the music to a movie soundtrack where the notes, motifs and melodic adventures are the characters.’ In reality, the narrative is less strong than Shorter suggests.
Reflective and peaceful in mood, the improvisation is open and melodic. The pieces, original co-written compositions (except one), were derived from fragments of past ideas, and recorded to two-track in Hancock’s sitting-room in a week. The choice of location must have had a soothing effect on the duo.
Shorter’s soprano tone shows no sign of the usual grit and abrasion, and is almost pastoral throughout. Hancock’s playing, though indelibly blue-tinged, is restrained and poised. They’ve each seen a lot of changes since playing together in the classic Miles Davis quintet up to 1968: 1+1 testifies to an enduring empathy between two great figures in jazz. GB