Album: Sound-System

Overview
"Sound-System" is a 1984 album by American jazz pianist and author Herbie Hancock. Released on the Columbia label, the record is a follow-up to his extremely successful "Future Shock" album, released the previous year. The album reached number 7 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart and number 163 on the Billboard 200 chart. Just like "Future Shock", Bill Laswell produced the album and together they continued to pioneer the electronic and dance music genres, combining them with Hancock's signature jazz piano and synthesizer sounds.

Style and Sound
"Sound-System" significant Hancock's additional expedition into the world of electronic music and musical innovation. The album fuses synthesizers, drum makers, sequencers, and electronic instruments with traditional jazz components, highlighting Herbie's adaptability and willingness to embrace brand-new musical frontiers. "Sound-System" was undoubtedly affected by the noises and designs of hip-hop, electro-funk, and early techno music emerging in the 1980s.

The rhythms and beats showcased in "Sound-System" directly cater to the breakdancing culture that had reached its peak during the time of the album's release. As an outcome, the album sticks out as an unique and necessary landmark in the history of electronic dance music (EDM). Though less commercially effective than "Future Shock", "Sound-System" boasts a more sophisticated and varied sound, combining musical influences from various continents and drawing motivation from numerous types of traditional music, such as African tribal rhythms and Japanese Taiko drums.

Track List and Highlights
"Sound-System" includes 6 tracks, each showcasing a different aspect of Hancock's musical vision and creative experimentation. Below is the track list, together with a brief description of each song:

1. "Hardrock" - An upbeat and cool electronic track characterized by a powerful drum maker beat, unique synth bassline, TURNER samples, and Hancock's trademark keyboard work.

2. "Metal Beat" - This structure features complex linking percussive patterns, as well as a mix of taiko drums, electronic beats, and synth-heavy sounds. The metal, distorted drum noises contribute to the track's commercial ambiance.

3. "Karabali" - A cooperation with the then-undiscovered Senegalese percussionist Aïyb Dieng, "Karabali" is a fusion of African tribal rhythms, transmittable basslines, and climatic synth layers, displaying Hancock's adeptness at mixing world music with his jazz roots.

4. "Junku" - This track showcases Hancock's interest in Asian music and culture. Incorporating Japanese taiko drums, Hancock mixes Eastern percussion styles with his innovative electronic soundscapes to produce a distinct musical texture.

5. "People are Changing" - Featuring singer Bernard Fowler, this tune is a politically charged reggae-inflected socio-commentary on the state of world society throughout the 1980s.

6. "Sound-System" - The title track of the album is an extended electro-rap critical track, driven by a hypnotic synth bassline and slick guitar riffs, showcasing Hancock's ability to produce danceable grooves in an electronic context.

Tradition and Influence
"Sound-System" certainly played a crucial function in shaping the development of electronic dance music in the 1980s and beyond. It led the way for many artists and producers to try out electronic noises and incorporate them into their own structures, which eventually caused the development and popularization of various EDM sub-genres.

Though not as commercially effective as its predecessor, "Sound-System" stands as a testimony to Herbie Hancock's brilliance and development, verifying his status as a forward-thinking artist who remains confident to explore the boundaries of musical expression. To this day, the album continues to inspire and influence musicians across numerous disciplines and musical designs.