Herbie Hancock - Jazz Moods: Round Midnight (CD)

All Music Guide

Part of the Sony Jazz Moods budgetline series, this 11track disc harvests selections from all over the place in Herbie Hancock's career recording for Columbia, predominantly focusing on the era between Hancock's explorations into jazz fusion and his early'80s forays into electronic music. There's a generous portion of standards here, like "On Green Dolphin Street," "Some Day My Prince Will Come," "My Funny Valentine," and "'Round Midnight," but the shining moments come from the inclusion of performances with mentor Miles Davis' legendary band from the '60s on "Little One" and "Circle." While it is by no means an inclusive survey of his career, it's a nice compact little session that most casual fans will find a gateway to greater depths of Herbie Hancock's catalog.

- Rob Theakston, All Music Guide