[TR24][OF] Herbie Hancock - Directstep - 1978/2008 (Fusion, Jazz-Funk)

Directstep is the twenty-fourth studio album by jazz pianist Herbie Hancock. Originally, the record was released only in Japan on December 2, 1978, via CBS/Sony label.
For the rabid audiophiles in Japan, Herbie Hancock went to Tokyo to record a direct-to-disc LP that later became one of the world's earliest CD releases. Due perhaps to the arduous one-take-only nature of the direct-to-disc process, Hancock takes the rare step of using a second keyboardist, Webster Lewis, to handle the multiple electronic textures; the rest of the cast is a quorum of Headhunters (Bennie Maupin, reeds; Paul Jackson, bass; Bill Summers, percussion), plus guitarist Ray Obiedo and drummer Alphonse Mouzon. Understandably, the music sometimes sounds a bit inhibited and structured, but there are some refreshingly jarring rhythmic disruptions in "Butterfly," "Shiftless Shuffle" eventually develops a fine roadhouse groove, and the extended "I Thought It Was You" cuts the original version on Sunlight. The sound is excellent, especially the rock-solid bass and drums.