Herbie Hancock: Driftin'
Musicians:
Herbie Hancock (piano), Dexter Gordon (tenor sax), Butch Warren (bass), Billy Higgins (drums).
Recorded: Englewood Cliffs, NJ, May 28, 1962
Rating: 92/100 (learn more)
Recorded approximately one month after his 22nd birthday, Takin’ Off marks Herbie Hancock’s first album as a leader for Blue Note Records. The collection of legendary musicians performing the first complete set of original compositions from an emerging jazz mastermind creates a palpable energy throughout the session. A mid-tempo 32-bar tune, "Driftin’" features a slightly mellowed yet intensely melodic flugelhorn solo by Hubbard, and Higgins’ relaxed cross-stick groove. Hancock takes an extended two-chorus solo, where he already brilliantly balances intricate rhythmic syncopation and metric modulation with a straight-ahead blues foundation. An outstanding introduction to a world-renowned career.
Reviewer: Eric Novod
Tags: 1960s jazz · blue note · hard bop · piano
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