Best Of Herbie Hancock: The Blue Note Years CD

A bold jazz innovator whose stylistic range is rivaled only by his mentor, Miles Davis, keyboardist/composer/bandleader Herbie Hancock receives Columbia/Legacy's ESSENTIAL treatment on this excellent 2006 two-disc set. Although whittling the finest moments of Hancock's strikingly eclectic, decades-spanning career down to a mere 20 tracks is an exercise in futility, the collection reveals admirable results within those constraints, offering up tunes from 1962 to 2000. Among the many brilliant moments on this comp are Hancock's swinging hard-bop classics "Watermelon Man" and "Cantaloupe Island" (both featuring ace trumpeter Freddie Hubbard), the fiercely funky "Chameleon," and the groundbreaking electro-pop hit "Rockit." Although many of Hancock's individual albums are essential in their own right, and the four-disc HERBIE HANCOCK BOX delves deeper into his daunting catalogue, this compilation is the perfect introduction to the stunning stylistic and technical breadth of the pioneering artist's output.

Herbie Hancock is arguably the most influential jazz pianist since the late Bill Evans. A true master of his instrument, Hancock has long possessed the ability to play unique, knotty solos, all the while infusing his music with plenty of soul and groove. Whereas many of his contemporaries perform in a more detached and clinical style, Hancock can charm even the most casual of jazz listeners with his warm touch.

This Blue Note collection presents many of the 1960s tunes that made the post-bop pianist famous, including "Watermelon Man" and "Cantaloupe Island," songs that stem from his groundbreaking forays into the funkiest territories of jazz. Also heard here is the ethereal "Maiden Voyage," which boast a classic Freddie Hubbard trumpet solo and remains one of Hancock's most popular compositions. THE BEST OF also presents the lilting "Dolphin Dance" and the hard-swinging "Riot," which features a scorching solo by Hancock. Although this compilation only draws from one decade of Hancock's career, it is an excellent compilation of the pianist's '60s output.

Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey between 1962 and 1968.

Compilation producer: Michael Cuscuna.

Personnel: Herbie Hancock (vocals, piano, keyboards, synthesizer, vocoder, programming); Stevie Wonder (vocals, harmonica); Wayne Shorter, Bennie Maupin (tenor saxophone); Eddie Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis (trumpet); Julian Priester (trombone); Alphonse Mouzon (keyboards, drums); Ron Carter (upright bass); Jaco Pastorius, Paul Jackson , Bill Laswell (bass guitar); Harvey Mason, Sr. , Terri Lyne Carrington, Tony Williams (drums); Bill Summers (percussion).

Liner Note Author: Bob Belden.

Personnel: Herbie Hancock (piano); Dexter Gordon, George Coleman, Hank Mobley (tenor saxophone); Freddie Hubbard, Donald Byrd (trumpet); Thad Jones (flugelhorn); Grachan Moncur III (trombone); Peter Phillips (bass trombone); Jerry Dodgion (alto flute); Butch Warren, Ron Carter, Chuck Israels (bass); Billy Higgins, Tony Williams, Mickey Roker (drums).

Producer: Alfred Lion.

Rolling Stone (9/2/71, p.44) - "...ranges from the street-strutting funk of the early `Watermelon Man' through statements succesfully more challenging and complex..."
JazzTimes (p.65) - "[Hancock is] a musician with passion, an open mind and an awareness of history that constantly propels him forward into new sonic territory."