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Tom HullC
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings

Possibilities is the thirty-ninth studio album by American jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, released on August 30, 2005, by Hear Music and Vector Recordings.

Background

The album features a variety of guest musicians such as Trey Anastasio and John Mayer. It earned Hancock two nominations at the 2006 Grammy Awards: Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "A Song for You" (featuring Christina Aguilera) and Best Pop Instrumental Performance for "Gelo na Montanha" (featuring Anastasio). A motion picture entitled Herbie Hancock: Possibilities, released on DVD-Video on April 18, 2006, depicts the recording of this album in many different discussions and performances with the collaborating artists. The DVD-Video also includes a demo CD with four of the 10 songs on the album.

Track listing

CD

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Stitched Up" (featuring John Mayer)MayerHerbie HancockHancockAlan MintzSteve Jordan[a]"Bassy" Bob Brockmann[b]Yaron Fuchs[b]5:27
2."Safiatou" (featuring Santana and Angélique Kidjo)Harold AlexanderHancockMintz5:25
3."A Song for You" (featuring Christina Aguilera)Leon RussellHancockMintzBrockmann[b]7:05
4."I Do It for Your Love" (featuring Paul Simon)Paul SimonHancockMintzJohn Alagía[a]Simon[a]5:58
5."Hush, Hush, Hush" (featuring Annie Lennox)Paula ColeHancockMintz4:46
6."Sister Moon" (featuring Sting)StingHancockMintz6:54
7."When Love Comes to Town" (featuring Jonny Lang and Joss Stone)Adam ClaytonDavid EvansPaul David HewsonLawrence Mullen Jr.HancockMintzGreg Phillinganes[a]8:41
8."Don't Explain" (featuring Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan)Arthur Herzog Jr.Billie HolidayHancockMintz4:53
9."I Just Called to Say I Love You" (featuring Raul Midón)Stevie WonderPhillinganesHancock5:27
10."Gelo na Montanha" (featuring Trey Anastasio)AnastasioHancockCyro BaptistaHancockMintzBryce Goggin[a]Brockmann[a]Fuchs[a]3:48

Notes:

  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer
  • ^[b] signifies an additional producer

DVD-Video (2006)

Introduction Christina Aguilera "A Song for You" Opening Credits/John Mayer "Stitched Up" Raul Midón "I Just Called to Say I Love You" Trey Anastasio "Gelo na Montanha (Ice On The Mountain)" Damian Rice & Lisa Hannigan "Don't Explain" Carlos Santana & Angélique Kidjo "Safiatou" Wayne ShorterPaul Simon "I Do It for Your Love" Brian Eno Annie Lennox "Hush, Hush, Hush" Jonny Lang & Joss Stone "When Love Comes to Town" Sting "Sister Moon" Hiroshima, Japan Nagasaki, Japan End Credits

Charts

Weekly chart performance for Possibilities
Chart (2005)Peak position
Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for Possibilities Chart (2005) Peak position Australian Hitseekers Albums (ARIA) 17 Australian Jazz & Blues Albums (ARIA) 11 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) 45 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) 33 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) 80 Italian Albums (FIMI) 74 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) 95 UK Jazz & Blues Albums (OCC) 23 US Billboard 200 22 US Top Contemporary Jazz Albums (Billboard) 1Year-end charts 2005 year-end chart performance for Possibilities Chart (2005) Position US Top Contemporary Jazz Albums (Billboard) 2 2006 year-end chart performance for Possibilities Chart (2006) Position US Top Contemporary Jazz Albums (Billboard) 2
Australian Hitseekers Albums (ARIA)17
Australian Jazz & Blues Albums (ARIA)11
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)45
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)33
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)80
Italian Albums (FIMI)74
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)95
UK Jazz & Blues Albums (OCC)23
US Billboard 20022
US Top Contemporary Jazz Albums (Billboard)1
Chart (2005)Position
US Top Contemporary Jazz Albums (Billboard)2
Chart (2006)Position
US Top Contemporary Jazz Albums (Billboard)2

Certifications

Certifications for Possibilities
RegionCertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)Gold500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notes