Bobby Mcferrin Spontaneous Inventions CD

How do you capture spontaneous creation? Blue Note's answer was to present the widest possible variety of performances on one CD in order to capture the sense of someone who is spontaneous in every performance. They succeeded admirably! Three originals, four solo interpretations of other composer's work, singing around the piano of Herbie Hancock, facing off with the soprano sax of Wayne Shorter, and a hysterical "Beverly Hills Blues" (improv with Robin Williams), are the contents but one. That one is "Another Night In Tunisia," sung with The Manhattan Transfer and Jon Hendricks. It's a must for any collection..

Personnel includes: Bobby McFerrin, Robin Williams, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, The Manhattan Transfer.
Personnel: Bobby McFerrin (vocals, percussion); Cheryl Bentyne, Janis Siegel, Jon Hendricks, Alan Paul, Manhattan Transfer, Robin Williams , Tim Hauser (vocals); Wayne Shorter (soprano saxophone); Herbie Hancock (piano).
Recording information: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA; Different Fur, San Francisco, CA; Digital Magnetics.
Photographer: Mary Mack.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Jon Hendricks; Manhattan Transfer.
Bobby McFerrin is heard in prime form throughout this date, which was the follow-up to his classic The Voice. A few of the numbers are taken unaccompanied, and these include memorable renditions of "Thinkin' About Your Body," "I Hear Music," and "Mañana Iguana." Pianist Herbie Hancock duets with McFerrin on "Turtle Shoes"; "Another Night in Tunisia" (taken from the Manhattan Transfer's Vocalese album) features McFerrin with the vocal quartet and Jon Hendricks; soprano saxophonist Wayne Shorter interacts with the vocalist on "Walkin'"; and an eccentric "Beverly Hills Blues" has "assistance" from comedian Robin Williams. A continually intriguing release with plenty of wit from the innovative singer. ~ Scott Yanow