Side One
Wiggle-Waggle
Fat Mama
Tell Me A Bedtime Story
Oh! Oh! Here He Comes
Side Two
Jessica
Fat Albert Rotunda
Lil' Brother
Cecily's notes... Personal Background: I got this from my father, gave it a listen and, as usual for me and jazz, discerned nothing exceptional about it above and beyond every other jazz record. A second listen, as usual for me and jazz, improved it vastly.
Resonance: Turns out listening to Fat Albert Rotunda makes you feel way cool when you give it a spin. It also has a vintage movie vibe, possibly because Hancock also did soundtracks for people, and this supplies a delightful landscape that (at least for me) is a melange of Barney Miller, Dirty Harry, Rockford and Kolchak. It's not the deepest emotional experience, but it's very pleasant. 2/5
Design: I have nothing bad to say about this record. Starts off chill and upbeat, has a nice quiet middle and the romantic piano number 'Jessica,' and then it rounds everything off with another lively pair of quasi-funk numbers. I was reminded of a more upscale Booker T and the MGs (*ducks from the jazz experts out there*). 5/5
Utility: This is a good housework album and probably sounds nice in the car too. Syncopation and general 70s soundtrack feel help a lot here. I tried it out while kneading bread and it passed the time splendidly, but I have to assume I won't be playing it that often because that's just how I am with this genre. 3/5
Best: Oh! Oh! Here He Comes.
Worst: Title track has one of those tedious noodling solos that I just don't care for no matter who's doing the blowing.
Conclusion: 10/15. Perfectly solid jazz album, no worries for its demise.
Ticharu's notes... Personal Background: Why did I start listening to jazz? Same reason I started listening to classical music before that I suppose. Rock music in order for me to want to hear it again requires content most of it doesn't have. Beyond that, the content must be appealing. Rock music is such a personalised statement, even the uninitiated can tell the difference between The Kinks and The Beatles. But the uninitiated would struggle telling the difference between Debussy and Ravel. Likewise, can you tell the difference between Herbie Hancock and Oscar Peterson? I might be able to tell the difference now. Maybe! Music that takes more effort. That is why I started listening to jazz.
Resonance: Does jazz music have resonance? Intellectual resonance obviously, gifted musicians performing and improvising to the best of their abilities, that should translate in any genre. The emotional resonance is harder to pin down. I personally want music I can just listen to and appreciate without getting involved emotionally. 5/5 on this one. It doesn't move me emotionally but delivers uncompromising musical content with a sense of fun.
Design: Late 60s jazz albums... they were in trouble and they knew it. Trying to hold onto your market and tap a new one. Herbie managed this brilliantly for a while. 5/5
Utility: Easy! Play it! 5/5
Best: It's all really good.
Conclusion: Dipping into the Herbie Hancock discography, Fat Albert Rotunda is great place to start. A happy middle ground between earlier more traditional jazz sounds and later more experimental.
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