TAKIN'OFF + 1 BONUS TRACK

LIMITED EDITION

INCLUDES 1 BONUS TRACK

180-GRAM RED VINYL

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

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, May 28, 1962. Original sessions recorded by RUDY VAN GELDER and produced by ALFRED LION. 

*Bonus track: Donald Byrd (tp), Pepper Adams (bar), Herbie Hancock (p), Butch Warren (b), Billy Higgins (d). Englewood Cliffs, N.J., September 21, 1961.

Tracks

Side A

1. WATERMELON MAN 7:09
2. THREE BAGS FULL 5:26
3. EMPTY POCKETS 6:12
4. HUSH 6:23*

Side B

1. THE MAZE 6:48
2. DRIFTIN’ 6:57
3. ALONE AND I 6:29