As I was reading an on-line article from Jazzwise, titled Herbie Hancock: 21 Essential Albums, by Alyn Shipton, Monday, October 18, 2021, I got an idea to share my list of favorite Herbie Hancock recordings. Alyn Shipton`s Herbie Hancock: 21 Essential Albums is a helpful list that points to the great works pianist and composer Herbie Hancock has shared with his fans throughout the years.
The Miles Davis Quintet of the 1960s was known as "the greatest small group of the 60s put Herbie on the map as an international star". These notable albums were ESP, Nefertiti, and Sorcerer.
Herbie Hancock`s 1965 Blue Note recording of Maiden Voyage was an album that captured the grandeur of sea life. Speak Like A Child was a Herbie Hancock recording from Blue Note Records recorded in 1968. Speak Like A Child was also the title sound trac for the album. Speak Like A Child is such a beautiful recording, especially the background harmonies of Jerry Dodgion on flute, and Thad Jones on flugelhorn. The Prisoner is one of my favorite Herbie Hancock albums. I am particularly crazy about the recording "I Have A Dream", and Joe Henderson`s tenor saxophone solo on that recording. The Prisoner was also the end of Herbie Hancock`s association with Blue Note Records.
Mwandishi was the start of his affiliation with Warner Brother Records, in 1970. Herbie`s line-up featured Eddie Henderson on trumpet, Julian Priester on trombone, and Bennie Maupin on woodwinds.
Herbie Hancock moved to Columbia Records, in 1973. This move to Columbia Records took Herbie Hancock into funk music with his Head Hunters album. "Chameleon" was the popular hit on Head Hunters that introduced Herbie Hancock`s music to huge audiences. Continuing on with Hancock`s Columbia years, other albums have become my favorites, such as V.S.O.P. (Columbia, 1976). I love this album! Especially the Herbie Hancock Sextet. The Herbie Hancock Sextet is the Mwandishi group performing "Toys" and "You`ll Know When You Get There" on the recording. Yes, I have to admit it, the album Future Shock (Columbia, 1983) is a guilty pleasure.
When you get a chance listen to my favorite Herbie Hancock picks, and I am sure you have yours; please share them. Well, excuse me; I have some listening to do.
Shipton, Alyn. Herbie Hancock: 21 Essential Albums. Jazzwise October 18, 2021, www.jazzwise.com
