• PLUS 5 BONUS TRACKS

• 20-PAGE BOOKLET

• 4 1/2 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

INCLUDES NEW SPECIALLY PREPARED LINER NOTES BY PENGUIN GUIDE TO JAZZ'S WRITER BRIAN MORTON AND BY PARI'S PRESTIGIOUS JAZZ MAGAZINE

“Herbie Hancock’s debut was a definite epoch in modern jazz. The 22 year old had emerged professionally with Coleman Hawkins and then with Donald Byrd. He quickly came to the attention of Alfred Lion at Blue Note, who agreed to let the young man record with a horn-led group rather than a trio. The session of May 28 1962, done without much advance preparation, is astonishingly mature.” - PENGUIN GUIDE TO JAZZ

“Above all, Takin’ Off presented the bluesy hit “Watermelon Man” to the world. The song would be covered by countless bands and performed in every imaginable style, subsequently becoming one of the most famous jazz standards. This is an album whose contrasts announce the exceptional diversity of an unparalleled career.” - JAZZ MAGAZINE

PERSONNEL:

• Freddy Hubbard (trumpet)
• Dexter Gordon (tenor sax)
• Herbie Hancock (piano)
• Butch Warren (bass)
• Billy Higgins (drums)

New Jersey, 1962

• (*) Bonus tracks [7-11]:
• Freddy Hubbard, trumpet; James Spaulding (alto sax & flute); Herbie Hancock (piano); Reggie Workman (bass); Clifford Brown (drums).
• New Jersey, 1962.

TRACKS:

• 01 WATERMELON MAN
• 02 THREE BAGS FULL
• 03 EMPTY POCKETS
• 04 THE MAZE
• 05 DRIFTIN’
• 06 ALONE AND I
• 07 YOU’RE MY EVERYTHING (*)
• 08 PROPHET JENNINGS (*)
• 09 HUB-TONES (*)
• 10 LAMENT FOR BOOKER (*)
• 11 FOR SPEE’S SAKE (*)

• Total time: 78:14