Sextant (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.

[edit] Track listing

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

[edit] 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