Released October 1962 Artist Herbie Hancock Producer Alfred Lion | Length 39:01 Release date May 1962 Label Blue Note Records | |
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Recorded May 28, 1962
Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs Takin' Off
(1962) My Point of View
(1963) Genres Jazz, Hard bop, Soul jazz, Modal jazz Similar Herbie Hancock albums, Jazz albums | ||
Takin' Off is the debut album of jazz pianist Herbie Hancock originally released in 1962 for the Blue Note label as BST 84109. The recording session included Freddie Hubbard on trumpet and veteran Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone. The album was a typical hard bop LP, with its characteristic two horns and a rhythm section. The bluesy single "Watermelon Man" made it to the Top 100 of the pop charts, and went on to become a jazz standard. The album has been called "one of the most accomplished and stunning debuts in the annals of jazz." It was released on CD in 1996 with three alternate takes and then remastered in 2007 by Rudy Van Gelder. The 2007 edition features new liner notes by Bob Blumenthal.
Contents
Herbie hancock watermelon man
Track listing
All compositions by Herbie Hancock.
Bonus tracks on reissue:
Personnel
Songs
1Watermelon Man7:14
2Three Bags Full5:31
3Empty Pockets6:11