Sextant (album)

Infobox Album | Name = Sextant
Type = Album
Artist = Herbie Hancock


Released = 1973
Recorded = 1973
Genre = Jazz fusion
Length = 39:02
Label = Columbia
Producer = David Rubinson
Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:2hx7gjqr86ic link]
Last album = "Crossings"
(1972)
This album = "Sextant"
(1973)
Next album = "Head Hunters"
(1973)

Sextant is the thirteenth album by Herbie Hancock, and the last album with his Mwandishi Band.

About the Album

Released in 1973, "Sextant" was Herbie Hancock's first album on Columbia Records. It was, and remains extremely complex, and a harmonically and rhythmically challenging musical statement. Hancock was no stranger to electronic music, having used synthesisers extensively during his short time with Warner Bros. Records, but "Sextant" took his sound to a new level, and arguably pushed the boundaries of the growing jazz-fusion movement further than any of his contemporaries.

"Sextant" was by far the furthest Herbie Hancock ever pushed himself musically. While a select few were collectively wowed by his new approach, Hancock alienated the bulk of his audience, who found his sound extremely inaccessible. Made up of just three tracks, the album recalls many of Hancock's critically acclaimed Blue Note recordings, but also points toward the commercial success he would enjoy in the 80s with "Future Shock" and "Sound-System", among others. However, with "Sextant", commercial success would have seemed a long way away.

Ironically, Hancock's first recording on Columbia would be his last recording with his "Mwandishi"-era group, with "Sextant's" poor album sales forcing him into the mainstream with "Head Hunters".

Track listing

#"Rain Dance" - 9:16
#"Hidden Shadows" - 10:11
#"Hornets" - 19:35

Personnel

*Herbie Hancock - piano, Fender Rhodes, Hohner D-6 clavinet, mellotron

*Bennie Maupin - soprano sax, bass clarinet, piccolo, afuche, hum-a-zoo

*Dr. Eddie Henderson - trumpet, flugelhorn

*Julian Priester - bass trombone, tenor trombone, alto trombone, cowbell

*Buster Williams - electric bass, acoustic bass

*Billy Hart - drums

*Dr. Patrick Gleeson - ARP 2600 and soloist

*Buck Clarke - percussion