With Sunlight (1978), Herbie Hancock fused jazz, funk and disco, introducing the vocoder for an innovative sound
This emblematic album, carried by I Thought It Was You, illustrates the creative audacity of the famous pianist. Your legs will not let you listen to it on your sofa, they want to dance ! I don’t usually post the front & the back side in the same message, but this one is so great that I can’t resist to show it, look at this set up ! The musician is one of the most popular keyboard player, and producer on earth, Hancock his also one of those first to use the Vocoder to modulate voices. I thought it was you has amazing breaks that wakes up anybody…
Few words about the record
Released in 1978, Sunlight is a landmark album by Herbie Hancock, where the legendary pianist and composer fused jazz with elements of funk, disco and R&B. This album is notable for the use of vocoder, a technology that Hancock uses to sing on several tracks, bringing a futuristic touch to his style. The opening track, I Thought It Was You, has become iconic for its driving rhythm and synthetic harmonies, perfectly exemplifying Hancock’s bold musical experimentation during this era. Featuring contributions from top musicians like Wah Wah Watson on guitar and Tony Williams on drums, the album offers an innovative blend of jazz virtuosity and accessible groove. Sunlight represents Hancock’s evolution toward more commercial sounds while retaining his musical complexity, marking a distinct chapter in his prolific and influential career.
