Back in April Herbie Hancock turned 70 and to celebrate his birthday year he is set to release a brand new album now confirmed for release in the UK in September. But in a major turn up for the books Hancock has moved label for this project away from Universal, his recording home of late, and back to Sony whose Columbia imprint released many of his albums in the past.

The new album, The Imagine Project is an all-star affair with Hancock joined by a host of A-list names including Anoushka Shankar, Wayne Shorter, Seal, Pink, Jeff Beck, Dave Matthews, Derek Trucks and Chaka Khan.

Tracks include ‘The Song Goes On’ with Anoushka Shankar recorded in Mumbai; ‘Don’t Give Up,’ a duet featuring Seal And Pink, ‘Imagine’ with Jeff Beck, Oumou Sangare and Lionel Loueke, ‘Tamatant Tilay/Exodus’ featuring Tinariwen; ‘Times They Are A Changin’ with the Chieftains, Lionel Loueke and Lisa Hannigan recorded in Ireland; ‘Jackpot’ with Dave Matthews and Marcus Miller; ‘Space Captain’ with Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi and ‘Mi Tierra’ with Latin superstar Juanes.

Tracks for the album were recorded around the world and a documentary marking the project’s development will be released alongside the album.

No word yet of UK dates but Herbie hits the European festival circuit in July with a band that includes singers, guitarist Lionel Loueke, keyboards player Greg Phillinganes and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta.

– Stephen Graham