HERBIE HANCOCK
My Point Of View (Blue Note)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Herbie Hancock's first album as a leader, Takin' Off, produced that rarest of jazz commodities, a hit single. "Watermelon Man" was a funky bit of business that gave Hancock an audience well beyond the jazz regulars, and it was inevitable that there would be an attempt at a follow up on his next effort. Thus, My Point Of View opens with "Blind Man, Blind Man," which has a similar flavor. Though it's a pleasant tune, and well played, it wasn't quite up to the level of its predecessor. Neither is it the best thing about My Point Of View.

The band assembled for the March, 1963 session at Rudy Van Gelder's studio by producer Alfred Lion called on some of the best talent, both well established and up and coming, in the Blue Note roster. Hancock's piano is augmented by Donald Byrd (trumpet), Grachan Moncur III (trombone), Hank Mobley (tenor sax), Grant Green (guitar), Chuck Israels (bass) and Tony Williams (drums). That's a lot of potential leaders in one room, and most of them had or would achieve significant reputations as leaders on their own, but this was definitely Hancock's session. All five of the selections are Hancock compositions and his distinctive voice as a composer was already strong.

Following the funky opener, "A Tribute To Someone" shifts the pace to a straight ahead mid-tempo ballad. Byrd is particularly strong on this cut. "King Cobra" offers a look at the modal experimentations that would find their fullest expression during Hancock's tenure with the Miles Davis Quintet. If you've never heard the Davis band, though, you'll wonder how the expression could be fuller than this offering.

The pace slows significantly for "The Pleasure Is Mine," with the brass taking a central role and Chuck Israels showing his skill with an arco bass line that fits superbly into the arrangement. The last cut on the original album, "And What If I Don't" is a bluesy jam that hearks back to Hancock's teenage R&B apprenticeship. The closer on this reissue is an alternate take of "Blind Man, Blind Man," which is worthwhile but not an improvement on the originally released track.

This is another in the Rudy Van Gelder Edition releases, featuring 24 bit remastering by the legendary engineer. As always, the sound is superb, making this the version to look for when you get ready to add this classic to your collection.

Track List:

Blind Man, Blind Man * A Tribute To Someone * King Cobra * The Pleasure Is Mine * And What If I Don't * Blind Man, Blind Man (alternate take)

© 2000 - Shaun Dale