From the start of his solo recording career in 1962, when he was 22,
Herbie Hancock was a very original pianist/composer. Strangely enough, despite the explorative nature of much of his music,
Hancock was also quite accessible, recording the future hit "Watermelon Man" on his debut date. This six-CD set is a must for all jazz collectors who do not already own
Hancock's Blue Note albums, for the box contains the complete contents of the pianist's albums Takin' Off,
My Point of View,
Inventions & Dimensions,
Empyrean Isles,
Maiden Voyage,
Speak Like a Child, and
The Prisoner. In addition, there are a dozen alternate takes (seven not previously released), five selections taken from dates led by others (
Donald Byrd,
Jackie McLean,
Wayne Shorter, and
Bobby Hutcherson), and an unissued R&B-ish number ("Don't Ever Go There") from an abandoned 1966 project. The title of the attractive 1998 package is not completely accurate, for although the program includes all of
Hancock's Blue Note dates as a leader, it does not have all of his recordings as a sideman for the label (which would take a really huge box). There are many classics in this reissue, including "Watermelon Man," "Blind Man, Blind Man," "Cantaloupe Island," "Maiden Voyage" (including a second version from a
Hutcherson date), "The Eye of the Hurricane," "Dolphin Dance," "The Prisoner," and the entire
Speak Like a Child album. Among
Hancock's sidemen are trumpeters
Freddie Hubbard,
Donald Byrd,
Thad Jones, and
Johnny Coles, tenors
Dexter Gordon,
Hank Mobley, and
Joe Henderson, bassists
Butch Warren,
Chuck Israels,
Paul Chambers,
Ron Carter, and
Buster Williams, and drummers
Billy Higgins,
Tony Williams,
Willie Bobo,
Mickey Roker, and
Albert "Tootie" Heath. Timeless music that is still quite undated and fresh. ~ Scott Yanow