Directstep is the twentieth studio album by jazz pianist Herbie Hancock. The record was released exclusively in Japan on January 21, 1979, via the Japanese CBS/Sony label.[2] Participating musicians include saxophonist Bennie Maupin, keyboardist Webster Lewis, bass guitarist Paul Jackson, guitarist Ray Obiedo, percussionist Bill Summers, and drummer Alphonse Mouzon.

Directstep
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 21, 1979
RecordedOctober 17–18, 1978
GenreElectronic, jazz fusion
Length30:30
LabelCBS/Sony
ProducerDavid Rubinson & Friends, Inc.
Herbie Hancock chronology
An Evening with Herbie Hancock & Chick Corea: In Concert
(1978)
Directstep
(1979)
Feets, Don't Fail Me Now
(1979)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

Overview

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Directstep, released only in Japan, was one of the earliest albums ever released on CD. Webster Lewis became second keyboardist on this album in order for Hancock to handle the multiple layers of electronic texture that he hoped to achieve. Hancock re-recorded "I Thought It Was You" (originally on Sunlight), making it even more electronic with his vocoding. "Butterfly" was also re-recorded (originally on Thrust) making Directstep the second album after the original version (the first being Flood), to have a rendition of "Butterfly". (The fourth would be Dis Is da Drum and the tune is also featured on Kimiko Kasai's LP, Butterfly, which Herbie plays on.) "Shiftless Shuffle" would later be re-recorded for 1980's Mr. Hands.

Track listing

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CBS/Sony – 38DP 39[3]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Butterfly"Herbie Hancock, Bennie Maupin7:53
2."Shiftless Shuffle"Herbie Hancock, Paul Jackson, Harvey Mason, Bill Summers7:10
3."I Thought It Was You"Jeffrey Cohen, Herbie Hancock, Melvin Ragin15:27
Total length:30:30

Personnel

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References

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  1. ^ "Herbie Hancock – Directstep (Review)". All Music. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  2. ^ "Herbie Hancock – Directstep (Vinyl, LP, Album)". Discogs. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  3. ^ "Herbie Hancock – Directstep (CD Album)". Discogs. Retrieved April 7, 2017.