Herbie Hancock

• 4 1/2 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

• BLUE NOTE DEBUT SERIES

On his debut album Takin’ Off—recorded and released in 1962—jazz legend Herbie Hancock arrived fully formed at the helm of an impressive quintet with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon, bassist Butch Warren, and drummer Billy Higgins. Though rooted firmly in hard bop, the brilliant pianist and composer presented his own strikingly original voice on this 6-song album consisting entirely of his own compositions from the funky hit “Watermelon Man” to the timeless ballad “Alone and I.”

PERSONNEL:

• FREDDIE HUBBARD, trumpet
• DEXTER GORDON, tenor sax
• HERBIE HANCOCK, piano
• BUTCH WARRE, bass
• BILLY HIGGINS, drums

Englewood Cliffs, NJ, May 28, 1962.

TRACKS:

• A1. Watermelon Man
• A2. Three Bags Full
• A3. Empty Pockets

• B1. The Maze
• B2. Driftin'
• B3. Alone And I