Herbie Hancock - The Best of Herbie Hancock: The Blue Note Years

Mirroring his onetime boss and mentor Miles Davis' own protean output, Herbie Hancock has explored hard-bop, soul-jazz, fusion, funk-rock, soundtracks, hip-hop-inflected pop ("Rockit"), and many permutations in between. His early work for Blue Note, though, offers the best entrie for newcomers. Compiled from five of his albums for the label and covering a period from 1962-1968, this fine sampler includes highlights off his debut, Takin' Off ("Watermelon Man"), the classic Maiden Voyage (the title track and "Dolphin Dance"), and the early electric album Speak Like a Child (the title track and "Riot"). Add to this more indelible cuts like "Cantaloupe Island" and "One Finger Snap," not to mention the presence of numerous '60s jazz legends (Dexter Gordon, Freddie Hubbard, Thad Jones, Hank Mobley, Billy Higgins, et al.), and you have perfect way to get a taste of some of the best modern jazz. Album Description

Stunning

This is a great introduction to Herbie Hancock as both a gifted Jazz Pianist and as a composer. These nine tracks capture him during his Blue Note period recording under his own name whilst still playing as Pianist for Miles Davis in the famous 1960's band.

Starting with the famous 'Watermelon Man' you might be really surprised here. After Dexter Gordon's brilliant Tenor Sax solo Herbie's solo is a very simple and bluesy - not the cascade of notes you might expect from a virtuoso Pianist. 'Maiden Voyage' is a beautiful track which evokes its title as well as any track I can think of. Its initial apparent simplicity is actually very misleading as the rhythm is rather complicated. On this track George Coleman is on Tenor sax, but the highlight is Freddie Hubbards brilliant Trumpet solo, both lyrical and inventive this is marvellous playing.

There are numerous other wonderful tracks on this CD. 'Dolphin Dance' is a great tune. 'One Finger Snap' contains a wonderful moment (at 4:09) where Herbie Hancock evokes memories of Count Basie in a little Piano riff he plays. The original version of Cantaloupe Island follows this track. Playing this recently I was amazed how slow it is. Again on this track fabulous playing by all the musicians.

The other musicians (I haven't already mentioned) on this album are:
Thad Jones - Flugelhorn
Donald Byrd - Trumpet
Grachan Moncur III - Trombone
Hank Mobley - Tenor Sax
Peter Phillips - Bass Trombone
Jerry Dodgion - Alto Flute
Chuck Israels - Bass
Butch Warren - Bass
Ron Carter - Bass
Billy Higgins - Drums
Tony Williams - Drums
Mikey Roker - Drums

The tracks are taken from the albums 'Takin Off', 'Maiden Voyage', 'Empyrean Isles', 'Speak Like a Child' and 'My Point of View' recorded between 1962 and 1968. October 30, 2007

Very nice listening

I found the music to be everything I had hoped it would be. I'm a big fan of Herbie Hancock and have not been unhappy with anything he has done. February 28, 2007

Herbie Hancock - The Blue Note Years

I wasn't impressed by his jazz style on this CD. I really liked another of his discs - that's why I tried this one. August 28, 2006

A Good Collection of Herbie Hancock's Early Work

Although all of these songs are from Herbie Hancock's earlier period, they do make up a very solid collection. Classics like the now standard "Watermelon Man" are songs that you never get tired of, especially when you have great players like Freddie Hubbard and Wayne Shorter in the band. The line-ups on this album are very strong throughout. If you're looking for Herbie Hancock's more futuristic sounding tunes then this album is not what you're looking for. If you're looking for a good collection of his early work, or if you're new to Herbie Hancock and need to find a good introductory disc, then this is definitely the place to go. February 20, 2005

...cantaloupes and watermelons...

...some people dont impress easily anymore...
...STOP DEALING WITH THEM TYPES OF PEOPLE...

you and someone you know should be lissenin to this cd right now... the perfect chill out and relax cd for you and your best buddy... or maybe (if your best buddy is a buddette) yall can talk about who gonna peel the grapes...
nawww, this aint a 'mood enhancing' type of cd, but if you are a man and you find a woman who enjoys real cool jazz music like this, THEN YOU NEED TO KEEP HER!!! (in the least, you should keep her on 'standby'... jus tryin ta help!)...

... yall be good ... February 13, 2003

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