Anomalie: A Tribute to Herbie Hancock
In April 2020, Montreal-based keyboardist and producer, Anomalie, shared a short arrangement of “Come Running To Me” by one of the greatest keyboardists of all time, Herbie Hancock.
He decided to finish the cover as a tribute to Herbie Hancock, and his influences on electronic jazz music. Hancock started as a jazz musician in Donald Byrd’s group and shortly after, joined the Miles Davis Quintet where he helped redefine the jazz rhythm section.
Later, in the 1970s, Hancock experimented with jazz fusion, funk, and electro styles, utilizing a wide array of synthesizers and electronics. Hancock is considered one of the pioneers of synthesizers used in jazz music, integrating sounds of disco and pop into his complex keyboard arrangements. He also experimented with singing through a vocoder, a rather new technology at the time, which earned him a British hit, “I Thought It Was You” on his album Sunlight.
Anomalie cites Hancock as one of his greatest musical influences and even writes, “I wouldn’t be making the music I’m making today if it weren’t for Herbie!” As a result, he decides to release his cover of Herbie Hancock’s “Come Running to Me” with a special nod to the back cover of Herbie Hancock’s iconic album, Sunlight.
Drawing from Hancock’s skillful use of various synthesizers, Anomalie is seen using some more modern electronic digital instruments including the Juno 106, which he describes as “so warm” and his signature plucky sound on the Roland A88. He sings through a talk box and lays down the beat on an Ableton Push. It’s fascinating watching musicians like Anomalie and Herbie Hancock using these tools to create fantastical sounds and textures, bringing out the life in synthesized music.
Anomalie’s fourth album, Galerie, is set to release this Spring.
