HERBIE HANCOCK – THE IMAGINE PROJECT

From a giant of the improvisational piano and a fusion jazz master, comes a new album of covers recorded right around the world, with a musical goal of teaching the unifying concept of peace. It’s a lovely idea, and the recording is littered with performances from superstars of all avenues of music.  Here you can hear versions of classic protest singers Lennon and Dylan (Imagine, Times They Are A-Changing), Sam Cooke’s soul classic A Change Is Gonna Come as well as African, Spanish and English compositions making up the colourful palette of material. But despite Hancock’s signature milky piano lines careening throughout, the album feels alarmingly sentimental and sports a glossy, safe-guarded sound that pushes it dangerous close to the realm of muzak. Hancock has noble pursuits at heart, but this is not great art. It’s  very hard to get past the feeling that Imagine has been played and sung too many times – its musical simplicity and heartfelt peace message have now been lost after countless overwrought re-imaginings. With Pink and Seal giving it their all to kick off the album with this, it’s hard to stay focused.

**1/2