Hey Pete. If you haven't tried listening to George Duke, catch up like I did. I only got into him in the last 3 years. Who? The singer of Frank Zappa and has played with EVERYONE. 14 albums alone in the 70's! I can't believe it took me this long to hear a solo album of his and now I'm hooked.
The Zenith of the Keys/ True Master- Soul Jazz/Modal/Space Jazz Fusion/Funk Fusion/Inventor of Hip Hop. Impossible for me to do 5 Pete. 1 MWANDISHI 2 Crossings 3 Maiden Voyage 4 Speak like a child 5 Sextant 6 Empyrean Isles 7 Takin Off8 Fat Albert Rotunda 9 Devotion 10 The Prisoner 11 Thrust 12 Death Wish Soundtrack 13 The New Standard 14 Secrets 15 Invention's in Dimension's 16 Rockit- 17 Headhunters. My favorite period is the MWANDISHI band which is Space Rock Fusion @ it's best- He is responsible for influencing so many genre's- Rockit really nailed Hip hop in the Video was groundbreaking. Pete I've been waiting for this list for a long time. Very cool that you brought in Mr. Andy Edward into the mix. Thank You Brother keep it coming.....
“You hear these songs and you feel like you’re in the middle of an oasis out in Africa just looking at the stars”. Beautiful Chuck. Crossings is my favourite too.
My favorites are 1. Speak Like a Child love the beautifully sophisticated melodies mixed with intriguing mix of discordance great balance between traditional and more modern jazz. Such a lush yet wild and refined sound with such sparkling tone on piano. To me, this is one also has the warmest most emotionally resonant feel. 2. Emperyan Island- such fine mix of refinement, sophistication and forward drive that really makes the music come alive. 3. Inventions and Dimensions- Really like the staccato modernistic keyboard, dissonant chords and sparkling frenetic but beautiful runs with the brushy percussion and irregular hypnotic rhythms with a slight innovative Latin influence. 4. Hard to choose between Man Child, Crossings, Mwandashi. I like all these about equally 5. Next would be Mr. Hands
Appreciate the video and input from all.. As an original metal/rock 70/80 headbanger I am late to the world of true blues and Jazz and your channel has allowed me to spread out a bit to discover some of these masterpieces!
Thank you so much Pete, Andy, and Chuck for this wonderful episode! I've loved Herbie's music for over 20 years yet there are so many albums and eras I still have to discover (basically from late-70's forward). 1. Thrust 2. Headhunters 3. Empyrean Isles 4. Fat Albert Rotunda 5. Sextant
Hurbie has always flown under my radar, don't know why??? Now I have a great start on taking in his discography. Thank you Andy, Chuck, and Pete, great show! BTW Chuck, love the shirt, Zelda FTW!!!
I love Bill Laswell's work, but I never expected Bill Laswell to be referenced on Sea of Tranquility. Except maybe his production work on Motorhead, Ramones White Zombie or his Miles Davis remixes.
Great episode gents! Need to do a deep dive for Herbie. Maiden Voyage is among my very favorite songs, but other than Headhunters, I haven't spent enough time with the early '70s Herbie. Now I will! 👍
Interesting hearing Pete mention that 'Thrust' would make good soundtrack music for NYC crime film, since Herbie actually did the soundtrack to the first 'Death Wish' film.
Great episode. "Kawaida" (with Herbie and Don Cherry) turns up in the Albert "Tootie" Heath discography! (EDIT -- I see on Discogs that there was a release under Mtume and Heath, and also one under Hancock and Cherry -- I suppose this is a matter of which names seemed most commercial at the time!) I might have to pick "Flood" as my favorite Herbie -- it's a bit of cheat being a live album that covers a bit of ground from a couple of my other favorites.
Realizing Chick was an avid jazz/jazz fusion fan I went back to these older episodes. Great informative stuff here and a visit to Amazon to flesh out my Herbie collection
As these gentlemen already said, there’s so many albums of Herbie’s that could be in a top five. I would put MAIDEN VOYAGE as my 5, HEADHUNTERS as 4, MAN CHILD as 3, but for me, MWANDISHI & SEXTANT are easily my numbers 2 & 1. But I have a bias there: I got to see that band as part of a $2 concert as part of the first NEWPORT IN NY jazz festival. Herbie’s band was the headliner, but it also had Eubie Blake opening, a Kenny Burrel ensemble, a Gato Barberi ensemble and then Herbie’s Sextant band. And that blew me away. I had never heard anything like that or even imagined anything like that. And then bought the SEXTANT album and wore it out.
Herbie Hancock is my all time favorite jazz artist. I've heard 4 of his albums, that being Crossings, Sextant, Head Hunters and Future Shock. I like everything I've heard but my favorite is Sextant. Hope to check out more of his discography.
It’s crazy that I only have 10 vinyls of Herbie. And you guys combined picked the ones I have. Love it and love you guys. Keep talking about music. My mom always said that if I knew my school work like I know music. I would be a rocket scientist
Other than "Headhunters," the "Death Wish" soundtrack, and "Future Shock," I am woefully unfamiliar with Herbie Hancock's catalogue, but I do love jazz, and I know he is a jazz giant, so I'm very thankful for this episode! The observations here are seriously going to help in leading me *much deeper* into the world of a great artist whom I should have investigated years ago. So grateful for this channel!!
Headhunters is my favourite. It's the album that made me realise that I actually liked jazz. It was also released into the world the same month and year that I was, so it'll always have a special connection with me because of that.
Love your picks guys, a lot of these albums were used by me to escape and check out after a hard day or night of work. Get my buzz on, sit outside under the stars and TRIP! African space music would be a perfect description for me. Those albums are quintessential trip music, cerebral yet fun and relaxing! S
I love Herbie's playing with Miles. Checkout his comping/chords on Footprints (Miles Smiles). I disagree a bit with the guys re the 60s stuff. To me, the Miles post '64 albums with his classic quintet are timeless and sound contemporary, even today. Herbie's 60's albums, however great, sound like 60's albums.
Fantastic stuff guys! Herbie in the 70s was on 🔥. Interesting that your lists are similar and mine would be too. My top 5 The new standard Headhunters Maiden voyage Secrets Man child Honorable mentions-fat Albert rotunda, thrust, crossings and mwandishi
I was sampling "Thrust" at a used CD store back in the day, with headphones on. ...When the bells kicked in on Palm Grease, I stI was sampling "Thrust" at a used CD store back in the day, with headphones on . ...When the bells kicked in on Palm Grease, I started just laughing hysterically out loud 🤣 It is my favorite!! 💯. ...so much so that I haven't spent enough time with more of the catalogue. This was insightful. Thanks for the vid
Pete would it be possible to do a top 10 list as Herbie as a sideman/Miles/Donald Byrd/Joe Henderson etc. There's a lot to choose from but he really kicks ass as a sideman...
Thanks for this. It's been a long time since I listened to this--had to dust off some old stuff--then follow up with some Crusaders just to mellow the funk down...
Thanks guys, will have to delve deeper onto the catalogue - I have that nice box set that came out in 2002 with a great selection ( that I can never work out how to open - its in a square clear plastic box that you have to slide the right side to get into) along with Crossings, Headhunters, Directions in Music and An Evening wIth Chick Corea but I'm going to have to get more of that Mwandishi, Headhunter and early period stuff.
Cantaloupe Island such a great track from Herbie. The late legend Hugh Maskela does a rousing great rendition of the song live and honors Herbie. I have on a best single album compilation that has Hugh doing the classic track on vinyl. Good show guys.
Bill Laswell, who worked together with Herbie on Rockit, is one of the greatest bassists ever!! Listen to his earlier work with Material, it's mind blowing!!
All the best ones have been mentioned, but I'm going to add Inventions & Dimensions. I especially like Succotash. That song has a such unique groove to it.
So many great albums. Glad to see the Blue Note hard bop albums getting praise. For me, "Thrust" is the best, even better than "Headhunters". Mike Clark's drumming on "Actual Proof" is amazing. Yes, "Man Child" tends to be overlooked and I don't know why. Herbie did many great Blue Note albums as a session player. He is especially inspired on Grant Green's "Feelin' the Spirit".
Also i have to mention Live in Boston @ Jazz Workshop/ Not mentioned because of course it's a Live Bootleg but that MWANDISHI band eclipse the Sky . That Period is right there w/ Miles "in a Silent Way"/ Bitch's Brew Landmarks... Also the best Music to Smoke Too of course...
Mwandishi band actually released two more LPs under Eddie Henderson's name. Inside Out and Realiization are as good if not bettet than those under Herbie's name.
Up until that album Herbie had only made straight jazz albums. It was his first forays into fusion and one of the first fusion albums ever. Should it get mentioned along with Jack Johnson and Emergency? I don't know, but to my ears it sounds a lot more like actual fusion that will emerge in the seventies...ua-cam.com/video/42wNF5kjWAU/v-deo.html
Our lists:
Pete:
1) Thrust (1974)
2) Mwandishi (1971)
3) Headhunters (1973)
4) Man Child (1975)
5) Empyrean Isles (1964)
Honorable mentions:
Maiden Voyage (1965)
Crossings (1972)
Sextant (1973)
Andy:
5) Future Shock 4) future to Future 3) the New Standard 4) Sextant 1)Headhunters
Chuck:
1. Crossings
2. Mwandshi
3. Thrust
4. Head Hunters
5. Sextant
Honorable mention
Flood (Live)
Hey Pete. If you haven't tried listening to George Duke, catch up like I did. I only got into him in the last 3 years. Who? The singer of Frank Zappa and has played with EVERYONE. 14 albums alone in the 70's! I can't believe it took me this long to hear a solo album of his and now I'm hooked.
More Chuck Alvarez please!
1. Maiden Voyage
2. Crossings
3. V.S.O.P.
4. Mr. Hands
5. Thrust
The Zenith of the Keys/ True Master- Soul Jazz/Modal/Space Jazz Fusion/Funk Fusion/Inventor of Hip Hop. Impossible for me to do 5 Pete. 1 MWANDISHI 2 Crossings 3 Maiden Voyage 4 Speak like a child 5 Sextant 6 Empyrean Isles 7 Takin Off8 Fat Albert Rotunda 9 Devotion 10 The Prisoner 11 Thrust 12 Death Wish Soundtrack 13 The New Standard 14 Secrets
15 Invention's in Dimension's 16 Rockit- 17 Headhunters. My favorite period is the MWANDISHI band which is Space Rock Fusion @ it's best- He is responsible for influencing so many genre's- Rockit really nailed Hip hop in the Video was groundbreaking. Pete I've been waiting for this list for a long time. Very cool that you brought in Mr. Andy Edward into the mix. Thank You Brother keep it coming.....
This is one of the reasons this is my favorite channel. Thanks for covering jazz and fusion, especially geniuses like Herbie.
YES, I've been waiting for this show. Thank you, guys!
1) Headhunters
2) Man Child
3) Thrust
4) Flood
5) Sextant
Honorable mention:
Secrets
“You hear these songs and you feel like you’re in the middle of an oasis out in Africa just looking at the stars”. Beautiful Chuck. Crossings is my favourite too.
My favorites are
1. Speak Like a Child love the beautifully sophisticated melodies mixed with intriguing mix of discordance great balance between traditional and more modern jazz. Such a lush yet wild and refined sound with such sparkling tone on piano. To me, this is one also has the warmest most emotionally resonant feel.
2. Emperyan Island- such fine mix of refinement, sophistication and forward drive that really makes the music come alive.
3. Inventions and Dimensions- Really like the staccato modernistic keyboard, dissonant chords and sparkling frenetic but beautiful runs with the brushy percussion and irregular hypnotic rhythms with a slight innovative Latin influence.
4. Hard to choose between Man Child, Crossings, Mwandashi. I like all these about equally
5. Next would be Mr. Hands
Appreciate the video and input from all.. As an original metal/rock 70/80 headbanger I am late to the world of true blues and Jazz and your channel has allowed me to spread out a bit to discover some of these masterpieces!
After watching this episode, thanks to Pete, Chuck and Andy......I now have my shopping list for August. Happy Birthday to me. LOL
Another fantastic show!
1. Secrets
2. Manchild
3. Head Hunters
4. Thrust
5. Lite Me Up - Steve Lukather!
Great ranking, Secrets & Man Child are quite underrated in the catalogue but still fantastic funky albums 👍
Thank you so much Pete, Andy, and Chuck for this wonderful episode! I've loved Herbie's music for over 20 years yet there are so many albums and eras I still have to discover (basically from late-70's forward).
1. Thrust
2. Headhunters
3. Empyrean Isles
4. Fat Albert Rotunda
5. Sextant
Been waiting for this one. Great video.
Amazing show! I'll have to had a few 70's Herbie to my collection!
5. Headhunters.
4. Speak like a Child.
3. Takin' Off.
2. Maiden Voyage.
1. Empyrean Island
Haven't watched yet...just got home. Can't wait! So far, everything below is happening! The Death Wish soundtrack (w/ The Headhunters). is also cool.
incredible underrated soundtrack
I love the music Herbie made with Lee Morgan, especially "Cornbread"
Hurbie has always flown under my radar, don't know why??? Now I have a great start on taking in his discography. Thank you Andy, Chuck, and Pete, great show! BTW Chuck, love the shirt, Zelda FTW!!!
(5)Secrets (4) Fat Albert Rotunda (3) Speak Like a Child (2) Mr. Hands (1) Man-Child
Adding to the stellar lists of SoT episodes! Great input by all 3. Much appreciated! And yes certainly happy to hear African voodoo madness!
Excellent job on ranking the albums of the legendary Herbie Hancock, I'd love to see you rank the albums of the Yellowjackets. Keep up the good work 👏
I love Bill Laswell's work, but I never expected Bill Laswell to be referenced on Sea of Tranquility. Except maybe his production work on Motorhead, Ramones White Zombie or his Miles Davis remixes.
Praxis: Sacrifist...heaviest album ever made!
Thrust & Headhunters are my two favorites. The drumming on Thrust is just epic.
Great episode gents! Need to do a deep dive for Herbie. Maiden Voyage is among my very favorite songs, but other than Headhunters, I haven't spent enough time with the early '70s Herbie. Now I will! 👍
Interesting hearing Pete mention that 'Thrust' would make good soundtrack music for NYC crime film, since Herbie actually did the soundtrack to the first 'Death Wish' film.
Great episode. "Kawaida" (with Herbie and Don Cherry) turns up in the Albert "Tootie" Heath discography! (EDIT -- I see on Discogs that there was a release under Mtume and Heath, and also one under Hancock and Cherry -- I suppose this is a matter of which names seemed most commercial at the time!)
I might have to pick "Flood" as my favorite Herbie -- it's a bit of cheat being a live album that covers a bit of ground from a couple of my other favorites.
Kawaida is great!!! 💯🥇
Thank you guys! Great video as always
This is a nice short presentation of fantastic Herbie Hancock, thanks.
Realizing Chick was an avid jazz/jazz fusion fan I went back to these older episodes. Great informative stuff here and a visit to Amazon to flesh out my Herbie collection
As these gentlemen already said, there’s so many albums of Herbie’s that could be in a top five. I would put MAIDEN VOYAGE as my 5, HEADHUNTERS as 4, MAN CHILD as 3, but for me, MWANDISHI & SEXTANT are easily my numbers 2 & 1. But I have a bias there: I got to see that band as part of a $2 concert as part of the first NEWPORT IN NY jazz festival. Herbie’s band was the headliner, but it also had Eubie Blake opening, a Kenny Burrel ensemble, a Gato Barberi ensemble and then Herbie’s Sextant band. And that blew me away. I had never heard anything like that or even imagined anything like that. And then bought the SEXTANT album and wore it out.
Herbie Hancock is my all time favorite jazz artist. I've heard 4 of his albums, that being Crossings, Sextant, Head Hunters and Future Shock. I like everything I've heard but my favorite is Sextant. Hope to check out more of his discography.
Man Child is unreal. Amazing album!
I also like the work he did on the soundtrack to the movie Blow Up (1966).
It’s crazy that I only have 10 vinyls of Herbie. And you guys combined picked the ones I have. Love it and love you guys. Keep talking about music. My mom always said that if I knew my school work like I know music. I would be a rocket scientist
Love Herbie’s 70s stuff the most. Great to see it getting some love.
Please consider making a video like this on Keith Jarrett.
Other than "Headhunters," the "Death Wish" soundtrack, and "Future Shock," I am woefully unfamiliar with Herbie Hancock's catalogue, but I do love jazz, and I know he is a jazz giant, so I'm very thankful for this episode! The observations here are seriously going to help in leading me *much deeper* into the world of a great artist whom I should have investigated years ago. So grateful for this channel!!
Headhunters is my favourite. It's the album that made me realise that I actually liked jazz. It was also released into the world the same month and year that I was, so it'll always have a special connection with me because of that.
What a great show!!!
Love your picks guys, a lot of these albums were used by me to escape and check out after a hard day or night of work. Get my buzz on, sit outside under the stars and TRIP! African space music would be a perfect description for me. Those albums are quintessential trip music, cerebral yet fun and relaxing!
S
As much as I love his studio stuff, Flood is always the album that I always go back too when I’m in the mood for Herbie.
My 5
1)Head Hunters
2) ManChild
3) Thrust
4) Crossings
5) Sextant
I love Herbie's playing with Miles. Checkout his comping/chords on Footprints (Miles Smiles). I disagree a bit with the guys re the 60s stuff. To me, the Miles post '64 albums with his classic quintet are timeless and sound contemporary, even today. Herbie's 60's albums, however great, sound like 60's albums.
...not sure how '71 Mwadishi slipped past me as much as it did!!! 🤯
Thank you!!! 🙏
Fantastic stuff guys! Herbie in the 70s was on 🔥. Interesting that your lists are similar and mine would be too.
My top 5
The new standard
Headhunters
Maiden voyage
Secrets
Man child
Honorable mentions-fat Albert rotunda, thrust, crossings and mwandishi
I was sampling "Thrust" at a used CD store back in the day, with headphones on. ...When the bells kicked in on Palm Grease, I stI was sampling "Thrust" at a used CD store back in the day, with headphones on
. ...When the bells kicked in on Palm Grease, I started just laughing hysterically out loud 🤣
It is my favorite!! 💯. ...so much so that I haven't spent enough time with more of the catalogue.
This was insightful. Thanks for the vid
Tower Records at 4th & Broadway sadly sadly missed...
1. Speak Like a Child
2. The Prisoner
brilliant Herbie acoustic albums!
Essential reading is the autobiography "Possibilities", my ranking :
1. Sextant
2. Thrust
3. Mr. Hands
4. Secrets
5. Quartet
Totally agree with both your essential reading suggestion and your #1 pick.
Pete would it be possible to do a top 10 list as Herbie as a sideman/Miles/Donald Byrd/Joe Henderson etc. There's a lot to choose from but he really kicks ass as a sideman...
Thanks for this. It's been a long time since I listened to this--had to dust off some old stuff--then follow up with some Crusaders just to mellow the funk down...
Thanks guys, will have to delve deeper onto the catalogue - I have that nice box set that came out in 2002 with a great selection ( that I can never work out how to open - its in a square clear plastic box that you have to slide the right side to get into) along with Crossings, Headhunters, Directions in Music and An Evening wIth Chick Corea but I'm going to have to get more of that Mwandishi, Headhunter and early period stuff.
Cantaloupe Island such a great track from Herbie. The late legend Hugh Maskela does a rousing great rendition of the song live and honors Herbie. I have on a best single album compilation that has Hugh doing the classic track on vinyl. Good show guys.
The Prisoner is my favorite album
Great show
My Picks:
1) Man Child (1975)
2) Thrust (1974)
3) Crossings (1972)
4) Headhunters (1973)
5) Flood (1975)
Honourable Mention:
1) Secrets (1976)
2) Sextant (1973)
3) Mwandishi (1971)
Bill Laswell, who worked together with Herbie on Rockit, is one of the greatest bassists ever!! Listen to his earlier work with Material, it's mind blowing!!
Laswell is responsible for some of the greatest fusion of all time....
like you guys i like it all. lets see: 1. Maiden Voyage 2. Head Hunters 3. Sextant, Thrust, Man-Child
I love his 80s records Sound-System and Perfect Machine.
Herbie Hancock is such an extraordinaire musician. My top 5 (in no particular order):
Maiden Voyage, Mwandishi, Thrust, Secrets, Future Shock
One of the best shows to date!!!
All the best ones have been mentioned, but I'm going to add Inventions & Dimensions.
I especially like Succotash. That song has a such unique groove to it.
Hell yeah...it's an infectious groove! Amazing record.
1- Maiden Voyage
2- Thrust
3- Crossings
4- Head Hunters
5- Mr Hands
So many great albums. Glad to see the Blue Note hard bop albums getting praise. For me, "Thrust" is the best, even better than "Headhunters". Mike Clark's drumming on "Actual Proof" is amazing. Yes, "Man Child" tends to be overlooked and I don't know why.
Herbie did many great Blue Note albums as a session player. He is especially inspired on Grant Green's "Feelin' the Spirit".
Gee thanks Pete. Until today i had not one Herbie Hancock Album in my collection. Now i have 8.
i have two herbie hancock records 1. empryean isles and 2. maiden voyage and both great hard bop sides!
Nice! Mine is Thrust, but I only have three of them. Butterfly, what a tune.
So spacey...
I have one album and it's Headhunters. I need to delve into his work more.
Also i have to mention Live in Boston @ Jazz Workshop/ Not mentioned because of course it's a Live Bootleg but that MWANDISHI band eclipse the Sky . That Period is right there w/ Miles "in a Silent Way"/ Bitch's Brew Landmarks...
Also the best Music to Smoke Too of course...
Sad to see no mentions for Mr. Hands. Such a great, accessible, fusion album.
I agree.Fantastic album full of amazing guests (Tony Williams, Harvey Mason, Jaco Pastorius, Alphonse Mouzon, Ron Carter...)
I came here from Andy's video but I just wanted to say Chuck: Nice Zelda shirt!
Mwandishi band actually released two more LPs under Eddie Henderson's name. Inside Out and Realiization are as good if not bettet than those under Herbie's name.
Yeah great cosmic funk albums!
Thrust has deep swamp funk all over it. It’s insane how groovy that album is.
1. Headhunters
2. Future Shock
3. Maiden Voyage
4. Sextant
5. Thrust
secrets is also a very good herbie album,Herbie Hancock - The Essence (Mixes)is also good,the joe claussell remixes are excellent
Headhunters just wonderful
I gotta go with:
Empyrian Isles
Maiden Voyage
Headhunters
Inventions and Dimensions might be in my top 3
Fat Albert Rotunda is amazing. Also like My Point of View on Blue Note.
"Death Wish" title soundtrack should have been in the rankings. It was/is a masterpiece of a title soundtrack
@sea of Tranquility I hope you can rank the albums for the black Crowes soon! They have a strong catalog
Wasn't Herbie Hancock the guy that signed the Declaration of Independence?
Don't know much about Herbie Hancock, except for the MTV icon era. Cool 80's songs.
For a second I thought you were going to rank ALL the albums, haha. That would’ve been a mission and probably started a civil war.
All good picks but I would've added the Fat Albert album
Up until that album Herbie had only made straight jazz albums. It was his first forays into fusion and one of the first fusion albums ever. Should it get mentioned along with Jack Johnson and Emergency? I don't know, but to my ears it sounds a lot more like actual fusion that will emerge in the seventies...ua-cam.com/video/42wNF5kjWAU/v-deo.html
1. thrust
2. sextant
3. my point of view
4. headhunters
5. future shock
Is it blasphemy to say that Lite Me Up is my favorite Herbie Hancock album?
@Prototype Blasphemers!!! Both! ;-)
Cool Zelda t shirt
Thanks!
Thrust
Crossings
Headhunters
Mwandishi
Sextant
Honorable mentions:
Maiden Voyage
Mr. Hands 👐
Future Shock
Steve morse?
great show, but a top 5 is too short a list for Herbie. Why not make a new extended list with let's say top 15?
Inventions & Dimensions (1964), 3rd solo album... No composed heads. Every song group-improvised/realized from beat 1.
Great but hard choices. I’m sure if you did this again., you would have different albums
Now George Duke!
I prefer Herbie Hancock's fusion stuff and that is the same for Miles Davis .
Rank the albums Meat Loaf
I wonder if Herbie ever got bored playing his own music and ordered a curry from the stage?
So far...
Maiden Voyage
Sextant
Crossings
Head Hunters
Man Child
Like Quincy Jones just so influencal
Andy talks way too much!