Herbie Hancock Maiden Voyage CD

The Rudy Van Gelder Edition of MAIDEN VOYAGE includes an essay by Bob Blumenthal.
Personnel: Herbie Hancock (piano); George Coleman (tenor saxophone); Freddie Hubbard (trumpet); Ron Carter (bass); Tony Williams (drums).
Recorded at Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on May 17, 1965. Originally released on Blue Note (BLP 4195). Includes liner notes by Herbie Hancock and Nora Kelly.
Digitally remastered by Rudy Van Gelder.
This is part of the Blue Note Rudy Van Gelder Editions series.
Personnel: Herbie Hancock (piano); Herbie Hancock; Ron Carter (bass instrument); Anthony Williams (drums); George Coleman (tenor saxophone); Freddie Hubbard (trumpet); Tony Williams (drums).
Recording information: New York, NY (03/17/1965).
Photographer: Reid Miles.
Less overtly adventurous than its predecessor, Empyrean Isles, Maiden Voyage nevertheless finds Herbie Hancock at a creative peak. In fact, it's arguably his finest record of the '60s, reaching a perfect balance between accessible, lyrical jazz and chance-taking hard bop. By this point, the pianist had been with Miles Davis for two years, and it's clear that Miles' subdued yet challenging modal experiments had been fully integrated by Hancock. Not only that, but through Davis, Hancock became part of the exceptional rhythm section of bassist Ron Carter and drummer Tony Williams, who are both featured on Maiden Voyage, along with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and tenor saxophonist George Coleman. The quintet plays a selection of five Hancock originals, many of which are simply superb showcases for the group's provocative, unpredictable solos, tonal textures, and harmonies. While the quintet takes risks, the music is lovely and accessible, thanks to Hancock's understated, melodic compositions and the tasteful group interplay. All of the elements blend together to make Maiden Voyage a shimmering, beautiful album that captures Hancock at his finest as a leader, soloist, and composer. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Probably the best in Herbie Hancock's series of fine Blue Note albums from the 60s, Maiden Voyage finds him in what is basically the Miles Davis band of the time, with Miles replaced by the young Freddie Hubbard. Hancock has always been a fine composer, but Maiden Voyage contains two classic compositions in particular - the beautiful `Dolphin Dance', and the atmospheric and popular title track. Saxophonist George Coleman, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Tony Williams play as well throughout as they have ever played, and the whole record is marked with a timeless freshness and sense of creative tension.Q (6/95, p.138) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...this 1965 date is arguably Hancock's finest half-hour of his long career. His compositional strength has never been bettered (four out of five tracks have become classics) and his piano playing is a model of the lucid, cerebral style that continues to act as a role model to young aspirants..."