TAKIN'OFF + 5 BONUS TRACKS

20-PAGE BOOKLET EDITION

INCLUDES 6 BONUS TRACKS

CONTAINS NEW SPECIALLY PREPARED LINER NOTES BY PENGUIN GUIDE TO JAZZ'S WRITER BRIAN MORTON AND BY PARIS'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

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

New Jersey, 1962.

*Bonus tracks (7-11): FREDDIE HUBBARD, trumpet; JAMES SPAULDING, alto sax & flute; HERBIE HANCOCK, piano; REGGIE WORKMAN, bass; CLIFFORD JARVIS, drums. New Jersey, 1962. 

Tracks

01 WATERMELON MAN 7:11
02 THREE BAGS FULL 5:29
03 EMPTY POCKETS 6:14
04 THE MAZE 6:51
05 DRIFTIN’ 7:00
06 ALONE AND I 6:32
07 YOU’RE MY EVERYTHING 6:39*
08 PROPHET JENNINGS 5:33*
09 HUB-TONES 8:27*
10 LAMENT FOR BOOKER 9:43*
11 FOR SPEE’S SAKE 8:35*

Total time: 78:14