CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

River: The Joni Letters (with Bonus Tracks) - Amazon.com Exclusive

by: Herbie Hancock

Release Date September 25, 2007
It was pleasure listening to this CD. The music is wonderful.A must have for all lovers of jazz.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Awake

by: Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock

Release Date November 07, 2006
There are no words to describe Josh Groban. He is phenmoninal! It doesn't matter he doesn't sing in English, just so long as he sings. My favorite is...When You Say You Love Me. His voice just lifts you up.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Possibilities

by: Herbie Hancock

Release Date August 30, 2005
Not to overstate it, but this is a fantastic release. Maybe diehard fans might balk but as a musician the artistry shown here is exquisite.

I was turned on to "Possibilities" by the Cable/DVD video documentary chronicling the making of this recording.

A very popular production tool these days, letting top musical performers invite other artists to join in the making of a new album by contributing diverse talents, unique styles, etc. creating new and exciting sounds.

Will definitely recommend to friends and fellow musicians!

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Maiden Voyage

by: Herbie Hancock

Release Date April 20, 1999
Great jazz album from the '60s. This one belongs high up in the pantheon of jazz albums that include Miles Davis's Kind of Blue, John Coltrane's Blue Train, and Speak No Evil by Wayne Shorter. If you feel that these other albums are essiential jazz listening, then you will certainly enjoy 'Maiden Voyage' by Herbie Hancock, and you will see why people still rave about this album today.
If you are an experienced jazz fan then you will most definately already have an opinion on this album, but if you are just getting into jazz then this album should certainly be on your 'to buy' list. Firm five stars from me!

CD-Charts Position 5
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Hear, O Israel

by: Herbie Hancock

Release Date June 10, 2008
Quite a facinating album addressing the intersection of jazz and religion. The concept of this is definitely novel and the musician lineup is top notch, but the result has some odd quirks.

Tracks "Torah Service/Adoration" and "Final Amen" (8 & 9) are the main "prayers" with the rabbi doing some preaching sounding like spoken word over a jazz vamp. The rest of the tracks are a mix of arranged vocal melodies and solid modal jazz. Sometimes they compliment each other, but the balance is constantly being shifted. If you're looking for quality jazz (especially Herbie), there's some really fun playing! His comping is swinging and crisp, and the solos are all quite tasteful and fresh.

If you're looking for lots of spiritual singing, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Head Hunters

by: Herbie Hancock

Release Date March 25, 1997
Since its initial release in 1973, Herbie Hancock's "Head Hunters" album has become a fusion jazz classic and rightfully so. Much like his former boss Miles Davis as well as R&B artists like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, Herbie Hancock set out to make music that was innovative for its time and pushed the envelope of creativity. Although Herbie had been experimenting with fusing rock, funk and African rhythms with Jazz styles in previous albums like "Sextant" and with his former group Mwandishi, "Head Hunters" is where all the musical styles and experimentation fell together in all the right places.
At least two of the four tracks on the album have gone on to become timeless classics. The nearly 16-minute centerpiece "Chameleon" is probably one of Herbie's ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Thrust

by: Herbie Hancock

Release Date August 18, 1998
"Thrust" is the ultimate statement by the Headhunters, and ranks as Herbie Hancocks best and funkiest album. Highlighted by the bombastic drumming of Mike Clark (who knew a white boy could groove THAT hard) "Palm Grease" features Herbie's now trademark Rhodes and Clavanet. Yet, "Thrust" features a dominating arsenal of ARP synthesizer's that add awe-inspiring textures to all four tunes. Throughout "Palm Grease"'s 10 minutes Herbie and Bennie Maupin shoot fire over Paul Jackson and Mike Clark's endless groove. "Actual Proof" features Maupin on Flute, and showcases one of Herbie longest electric piano solo's. The melody of this tune is also unforgetable. "Butterfly" is where things get REAL good. This eleven minute groove features some of the best Sax, Rhodes, and Synth ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Empyrean Isles

by: Herbie Hancock

Release Date March 23, 1999
If I had a gun put to my head by some quirky jazz-loving criminal who was intent on forcing me to confess which Herbie Hancock album was the greatest, I'd probably flirt with the idea of naming "maiden voyage" and then admit that this one was where it's at. Why? Because like "maiden voyage" the playing here is both inventive and brilliant, but in addition to those virtues this album features an amazing variety that is nevertheless organic. In other words Hancock shows you all the most daring possible moves on the chessboard without trying to play checkers. It's an approach that rewards repeated listening, and as with the greatest of all jazz albums it allows the audience to come away with something new with each listen. This is one righteous, eternally fresh, piece of ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

The Best of Herbie Hancock: The Blue Note Years

by: Herbie Hancock

Release Date October 25, 1990
This is a great introduction to Herbie Hancock as both a gifted Jazz Pianist and as a composer. These nine tracks capture him during his Blue Note period recording under his own name whilst still playing as Pianist for Miles Davis in the famous 1960's band.

Starting with the famous 'Watermelon Man' you might be really surprised here. After Dexter Gordon's brilliant Tenor Sax solo Herbie's solo is a very simple and bluesy - not the cascade of notes you might expect from a virtuoso Pianist. 'Maiden Voyage' is a beautiful track which evokes its title as well as any track I can think of. Its initial apparent simplicity is actually very misleading as the rhythm is rather complicated. On this track George Coleman is on Tenor sax, but the highlight is Freddie Hubbards ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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The Essential Herbie Hancock

by: Herbie Hancock

Release Date February 28, 2006
"Good evening. Welcome to the HH restaurant. We have a number of special and regular menu items I'd like to tell you about. This evening we'll be starting you off with the Watermelon Man and Cantaloupe Island, two of our chef's most famous hits, after which I'd like to recommend the Maiden Voyage and The Sorcerer, where the chef branches out into some exploration of chords that before these dishes were invented, really had never been heard before. If you prefer some of the chef's more recent dishes, we have 4 A.M., a nice Manhattan, and of course the always dynamic People Music. If you prefer to experience the chef's skills and enjoy some more standard dishes, we have Milestones, Circle, `Round Midnight, and of course, St. Louis Blues. For dessert, we always recommend the Chameleon, ... Read More: