Mr. Hands (album)

Mr. Hands is the thirtieth album by Herbie Hancock. It features the late Jaco Pastorius on the "4 A.M.," plus an all-synthesizer track, "Textures," performed entirely by Hancock. "Shiftless Shuffle" features all five members of The Headhunters quintet that first appeared on the 1973 album Head Hunters, including the quintet's original drummer Harvey Mason. This album was the first on which Hancock used a computer, this time an Apple II. He would continue his relationship with Apple Computer for many years.

An overlooked album when it was released, this would be the last outing of "straight" electric jazz from Hancock for some time. Later albums focused more on his R&B influences.

Track listing

1. "Spiraling Prism" - 6:25
2. "Calypso" - 6:47
3. "Just Around the Corner" - 7:36
4. "4 A.M." - 5:23
5. "Shiftless Shuffle" - 7:10
6. "Textures" - 6:38

Personnel

• Herbie Hancock - synthesizer, piano, drums, keyboards, vocals, Clavinet, Vocoder, Minimoog, ARP 2600, Apple II
• Ron Carter - Bass
• Leon Chancler - drums
• Sheila Escovedo - percussion
• Paul Jackson - Bass
• Harvey Mason - drums
• Byron Miller - Bass
• Alphonse Mouzon - drums
• Jaco Pastorius - Bass
• Bill Summers - percussion
• Freddie Washington - Bass
• Wah Wah Watson - Guitar
• Tony Williams - drums
• Cover Art photocollage - ©1980 by Jane Wattenberg

References