ProJazz.net

Magic Windows is the thirty-second album by jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, released on September 29, 1981 on Columbia.

Reception.

This is an improvement over Hancock’s disco-era productions since at least it is grounded in Herbie’s own ’70s funk outings (“Chameleon,” etc.) instead of generic dance music. Technically, this is an R&B album — not disco — with funkier, more flexible rhythm sections, more intriguing electronic instrumental decorations by Hancock, and some first-class instrumental contributions by the Brothers Johnson, the Escovedo family and Michael Brecker. Herbie even gives himself solo breaks on “Magic Number” and “Satisfied with Love” that redeem both tracks and there is a spooky foretaste of techno-pop on “The Twilight Clone.” True, this album is still dominated by the R&B vocals of Sylvester, Gavin Christopher and Vicki Randle but Hancock’s own sonic signatures make this record listenable (Richard S. Ginell/AllMusic).

Track listing:
A1 Magic Number
Backing Vocals – Jeanie Tracy
Bass – Freddie Washington
Drums – John Robinson (2)
Guitar – Ray Parker Jr.
Lead Vocals – Sylvester
Percussion – Juan Escovedo
7:22
A2 Tonight’s The Night
Backing Vocals – Dede Dickerson*, Ngoh Spencer, Vicki Randle
Bass – Herbie Hancock
Drums, Guitar – Ray Parker Jr.
Lead Vocals – Vicki Randle
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker
6:28
A3 Everybody’s Broke
Bass – Louis Johnson
Drums – John Robinson (2)
Guitar – George Johnson
Lead Vocals – Gavin Christopher
Vocals – Vicki Randle
7:05
B1 Help Yourself
Backing Vocals – Vicki Randle
Bass – Eddie Watkins*
Drums – James Gadson
Guitar – Al McKay
Lead Vocals – Gavin Christopher
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker
6:41
B2 Satisfied With Love
Bass – Freddie Washington
Drums – Alphonse Mouzon
Guitar – Wah Wah Watson*
Lead Vocals – Gavin Christopher
6:30
B3 The Twilight Clone
Bass – Louis Johnson
Drums [Ghanian] – Kwasi Dzidzornu, Kwawu Ladzekpo, Moody Perry
Guitar – Adrian Belew, George Johnson
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa

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Keyboards [Emu Polyphonic Keyboard], Clavinet [Clavitar], Synthesizer [Waves Minimoog, Minimoog, Prophet 5, Oberheim 8 Voice, Yamaha Cs-80, Arp Odyssey, Arp 2600], Clavinet [Hohner], Electric Piano [Rhodes 88 Suitcase Piano], Vocoder [Sennheiser], Synthesizer [Linn Drum Synthesizer], Computer [Modified Apple 2 Plus Microcomputer], Piano – Herbie Hancock

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Released: September 29, 1981
Recorded: 1981
The Automatt, San Francisco
Length: 42:39
Label: Columbia
Producer: Herbie Hancock, David Rubinson