Directstep

Released in 1979 exclusively in Japan, Directstep represents a significant technological milestone in Herbie Hancock's discography. Utilizing the 'direct-to-disc' recording process, the music was cut directly into a master lacquer in real-time, bypassing magnetic tape. This required the band to play entire LP sides without stopping or making mistakes, resulting in a unique tension between the relaxed jazz-funk arrangements and the high-stakes execution. The album features a refined version of the 'Butterfly' theme and a definitive 15-minute exploration of 'I Thought It Was You,' which showcases Hancock's early and influential use of the Sennheiser vocoder. Sonically, it serves as a bridge between the organic fusion of the Head Hunters era and the electronic pop-funk of the early 80s. Critics, including those at AllMusic, have noted the album's exceptional sound quality and its importance as a document of Hancock's mastery of the vocoder as a legitimate lead instrument. It remains a sought-after item for audiophiles and jazz-funk completists alike.