Herbie Hancock - 'My Point of View' & 'Speak Like a Child' (Blue Note 85 Editions)

 

Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern music.  Throughout his explorations, he has transcended limitations and genres while maintaining his unmistakable voice. 

There are few artists in the music industry who have had more influence on acoustic and electronic jazz and R&B than Herbie Hancock.  

As Miles Davis said in his autobiography:

"Herbie was the step after Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and I haven’t heard anybody yet who has come after him.”

'My Point of View' is Herbie Hancock’s second album for the Blue Note label, and features all original compositions.  This session from 1963 has an all-star cast: Donald Byrd on trumpet, Hank Mobley on tenor saxophone, Grachan Moncur III on trombone, Grant Green on guitar, Chuck Israels on bass, and Tony Williams on drums, who was just 17 at the time of this recording.

The sheer musicality of My Point of View is breathtaking, showcasing Hancock’s arranging prowess.  While "Blind Man, Blind Man Takes" draws inspiration from Hancock’s previous hit "Watermelon Man", this session also features several of Herbie's essential compositions, including "King Cobra", "A Tribute To Someone" and the bluesy “And What If I Don’t.”

'Speak Like A Child' from 1968 showcases several aspects of Hancock’s artistry: as a pianist, a composer, and an arranger.

This session finds Herbie expanding his tonal palette by adding the unique coloring of Thad Jones on flugelhorn, Peter Phillips on bass trombone, and Jerry Dodgion on alto flute to his trio with bassist Ron Carter and drummer Mickey Roker.  However, Herbie is spotlighted as the main soloist on this six-song set. 

Herbie's original compositions, are the alluring title track, the churning "Riot", the sorrowful "Goodbye to Childhood" and the mysterious closer “The Sorcerer,” a dedication to Miles Davis which had been recorded by the Miles' quintet the year prior.  On Carter’s spry and cheerful "First Trip" the trio goes it alone, delivering a wonderfully agile and swinging performance.

Both 'My Point of View' and 'Speak Like A Child' are remastered limited editions from Blue Note Japan, in the UHQCD format, from masterings that Kevin Gray did for the Tone Poet and BN Classic LP releases.  And they both sound sweet!  If you freeloaded the previously posted 'Blue Note 85 Reissues', you know what I'm talking about.

For the freeload, post something childish.