Herbie Hancock: Future2Future Live

Keyboardist Herbie Hancock's foray into a fusion of jazz, funk, electronics and hip-hop--which began in the early ‘70s--continues with this 104-minute concert, recorded in 2002 in Los Angeles. While there are occasional echoes of Weather Report and of Miles Davis' music from Bitches Brew onward (especially with trumpeter Wallace Roney now part of the Hancock ensemble), this is a distinctive, original sound, with the innovations put in service of the music, rather than vice versa. The six-piece group performs “Rockit” (Hancock's hit from the ‘80s, with the original video among the extras on this Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 enhanced DVD), “Chameleon” (the best known track from the Headhunters album), and eight others. In addition to multi-angle shots providing different viewing options, other bonus features include a Hancock interview and bios for each band member. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)