Herbie Hancock's star-studded
The Imagine Project was several years in the making, recorded in seven countries with musicians from all over the globe.
Hancock's band with producer/bassist
Larry Klein, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, percussionist
Alex Acuña, and guitarist
Lionel Loueke is a common denominator. Most selections are interpretations of well-known pop, folk, and soul songs. The best things here are indeed fine. There's a gorgeous reading of
Baden Powell's “Tempo de Amore” thanks to
Lucas Martins' bassline and
CéU's singing. “Space Captain” by the
Derek Trucks-Susan Tedeschi Band --with
Hancock and Colaiuta -- brings out a much-needed soulful grit to
Tedeschi's vocals, gospelized four-party harmony, and tough slide playing by
Trucks.
Bob Dylan's “The Times They Are a Changin'," with
Lisa Hannigan's raw, emotive vocals, is underscored by interplay between
the Chieftains and
Toumani Diabaté's kora and
Hancock's piano. The tune actually moves past its American folk revival beginnings to reflect a worldwide sentiment. “Tamatant Tilay”/”Exodus” pairs the nomad Malian guitar band
Tinariwen’s song with
Bob Marley's classic.
Hancock’s trio,
K’NAAN,
Tinariwen, and three members of
Los Lobos are all featured on vocals.
Tinariwen dominates with
Hancock’s funky clavinet pushing against their snaky wall of guitars and ululating singing; it's the hippest track here.
Klein’s “The Song Goes On” features
Anoushka Shankar,
Wayne Shorter,
Chaka Khan, and
K.S. Chithra with some lyrics translated into Hindi for the Indian vocalists. A full-on Indian session band interacts with
Shorter’s knotty soprano sax, and the only truly engaged
Hancock piano playing on the set. ~ Thom Jurek