Rockit
Song By Herbie Hancock
Rockit is a jazz-infused "Kraftwerk-Bambaataa" style composition recorded by one of the most important Jazz musicians and synth pioneers Herbie Hancock. Whenever you listen to this piece, you'll notice that the mixture of electro, jazz, and live instruments made it so sweet, and what is even more impressive is the sonic level, clarity, and depth that this one posses.
The production of Rockit was quite a ride. Production took place in several studios, a BC Studio in Brooklyn, and RPM studios in Manhattan, then Hancock's home in West Hollywood, finishing in Eldorado studio in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
Rockit is a flawlessly produced song by Bill Laswell and Michael Beinhorn, who were also involved in drum programming, composition, and sampling.
Hancock's jazz approach, influenced by dance music of that time, has given a new mark to the Electro genre. Nowadays, its influence is more significant than ever in eclectic electronics and different fusions of electro.
People who were involved in creating this piece done something extraordinary. The electro beat couldn't be spicier, and it was programmed on the "Oberheim DMX" drum machine. There was so much inspiration from different live and electronic music that made this one unique.
Gorgeous drums, programmed and produced on DMX by Michael Beinhorn layered with live Afro-Cuban "Bata Drums," scratches, and absolute mastery of Hancock's cosmic funk are the secret weapons for every dancefloor.
The beat is spicy, snappy and it has a live feeling to it.
Oberheim DMX, the second digital drum machine ever created and soundwise close to Lindrum, was mixed in a way like an engineer would approach mixing a live drum recording. This added that extra dose of crisp, and you can say that Rockit is one unique spacey glider that will take you on a ride of cosmic electrofunk.
The use of samples and a vocoder on Rockit was a step forward at that moment, and Hancock's keyboard and synthesizer mastery with approach from jazz music gave Rockit a unique sound design.
Lyrics "Rock it, don't stop it" were sampled from "Planet Rock," which was from Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force. This is the reason why it has the song the title of "Rockit."
This one is brilliant, the whole EP is pure joy for your ears, and it has influenced R&B music in such an amount that it would sound different if there weren't for "Futureshock."
In 1983 "Rockit" won a Grammy for Best R&B Instrumental Performance, and five MTV Video Music Awards in 1984.
It's a must for every old school hip hop or electro lover, a funky piece that will make you shake.