Hancock, Herbie

Takin' Off (clear)

Originally released in 1962, Takin' Off marked Herbie Hancock's debut as a leader, showcasing his balance of sophistication and accessibility. While influenced by Horace Silver's hard bop, Hancock's style was lighter, more cerebral, and adventurous in its harmonies. The album includes the iconic Watermelon Man, which became a jazz standard after its hit cover by Mongo Santamaria. Other highlights include the introspective Alone and I, the minor-key The Maze, and the bluesy Empty Pockets. Backed by Freddie Hubbard, Dexter Gordon, Butch Warren, and Billy Higgins, this debut laid the foundation for Hancock's future innovations in jazz.

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