ALBUM REVIEW / JAZZ : Hancock’s Minimal Music Development : HERBIE HANCOCK: “Dis Is Da Drum” <i> Mercury</i> **

Herbie Hancock is one of the few jazz musicians to have triumphed in the commercial world, most notably with the meteorically successful “Rockit,” in 1983.

This latest record is another attempt at a pop/dance hit--a collaborative writing effort between Hancock and musicians such as Wah Wah Watson, Airto Moreira and guitarist Darrell (Bob Dog) Robertson. But, although it has been two years in the making, it sounds strangely underdeveloped. Almost every number is awash with repetitive hip-hop grooves and dated synthesizer sounds, and the African drum element supplied by Bill Summers’ array of percussion is barely distinguishable.

The jazz elements on the record merit half a star. Hancock’s soloing is incidental and swamped by loops and samples, and the contributions from trumpeter Wallace Roney on “Call It ‘95,” or saxophonist Bennie Maupin on “Rubber Soul,” for example, are similarly minimized.

Where “Rockit” had space, and was on the leading edge of a new musical style, “Dis Is Da Drum” is cluttered, lacks Hancock’s usual gift for simple, effective tunes, and is a sound that has been heard often in the charts. For those who have enjoyed his ingenious commercial work in the past, this is a disappointing venture.

*

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good, recommended), four stars (excellent).