Village Life

For the newspaper, see Daily Republic.
Village Life
Studio album by
Herbie Hancock and Foday Musa Suso
ReleasedDecember 1985 (Japan)
RecordedAugust 7–9, 1984
StudioCBS/Sony Shinanomachi Studio, Shinanomachi, Tokyo
GenreJazz fusion, Mandé music
Length40:38
LabelCBS/Sony, Columbia
ProducerBill Laswell, Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock chronology
Sound-System
(1984) 		Village Life
(1985) 		Round Midnight
(1986)

Village Life is an album by jazz pianist Herbie Hancock and Mandinka griot Foday Musa Suso.[1][2] It was recorded in Japan and released in 1985. Hancock and Suso had worked together as part of a larger ensemble for Hancock's 1984 album Sound-System, and Village Life was recorded shortly after a world tour. There are no overdubs, Village Life was recorded live in the studio. The album was coproduced by Bill Laswell.[3]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]

The Globe and Mail wrote that "Hancock generally adds color in four pieces that move lightly when they move at all... Pretty, but ultimately a curio."[5] The Christian Science Monitor wrote that "Hancock traces lacy patterns around Suso's native vamps, underscoring the latter's vocals."[6]

Track listing

  1. "Moon/Light" (Hancock, Suso) - 7:57
  2. "Ndan Ndan Nyaria" (Suso) - 9:50
  3. "Early Warning" (Hancock) - 2:52
  4. "Kanatente" (Hancock, Suso) - 19:59

Personnel

Musicians

Production

  • Herbie Hancock - producer
  • Bill Laswell - producer
  • Tony Meilandt - associate producer
  • Dave Jerden - engineer (recording)
  • Tomoo Suzuki - engineer (recording)
  • Tetsuro Tomita - engineer (digital editing)
  • Wally Traugott - engineer (mastering)
  • Nobuhisa Kawabe - assistant engineer
  • Shinichi Miyoshi - assistant engineer

References

  1. ^ Gonzalez, Fernando (2 Apr 1989). "World Music: Whose Is It?". The Boston Globe. p. B1.
  2. ^ McCracken, David (18 Aug 1989). "Return of the griot". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 3.
  3. ^ Catlin, Roger (October 6, 1985). "Herbie Hancock's latest album...". Entertainment. Omaha World-Herald.
  4. ^ Ginell, Richard S. (2011). "Village Life - Herbie Hancock | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  5. ^ Miller, Mark (24 Oct 1985). "Village Life Herbie Hancock & Foday Musa Suso". The Globe and Mail. p. D5.
  6. ^ Duncan, Amy (February 12, 1986). "Jazz/Pop/Rock". Arts and Leisure. The Christian Science Monitor. p. 24.


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