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Herbie Hancock Gershwin's World Five Stars * * * * *

Featuring: Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Kathleen Battle, Wayne Shorter, Kenny Garrett, Eddie Henderson, and others

Herbie Hancock's 1960's jazz hit "The Chameleon" was an aptly titled warning to the music world. In the three decades that have followed, he has changed gears from straight-ahead to funk to pop and back again. The volume of his work is immense. So what else is there for this genius of modern music to do? A foray into classical music? A collaboration with a veteran pop singer? Another duet with Chick Corea? Perhaps a tribute to a composer? What seems like several projects is actually only one. It's called "Gershwin's World".

I was skeptical when I saw this ambitious line-up. Star-powered projects usually sound like unrehearsed ego battles. That's not the case here. Stevie Wonder tears up the joint with his powerful singing and solos on "Summertime" and "St.Louis Blues". On the classic Gershwin standards "Summertime" and "The Man I Love", Joni Mitchell sounds every bit like a seasoned jazz singer (I had to check the liner notes -- I couldn't believe it!). What phrasing! As for the instrumentalists, they all shine without being over bearing. It's particularly nice to see the great trumpeter Eddie Henderson included here.

But this project has another side. The oft-ignored classical aspect of Gershwin. How sublime it is to hear Herbie with symphonic accompaniment on "Lullaby" and "Concerto For Piano Orchestra In G, 2nd Movement", or with the hauntingly gorgeous voice of Kathleen Battle on "Prelude In C# Minor". They all capture the essence of Gershwin's world.

This is a romantic album, much like Shirley Horn's "Here's To Life", but it's also very substantial in content and presentation. The roster alone will ensure it sells, but what comes out of the speakers will guarantee its place in history. In summary, this CD will probably be regarded as Herbie's greatest achievement or, if not, one of his top three (with Headhunters and Maiden Voyage). FIVE STARS.

--AJL