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25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By mtro
Format:Audio CD
Empyrean Isles by Herbie Hancock could be viewed as a warm up for Maiden Voyage, universally accepted as one of the greatest jazz albums ever produced. On Empyrean Isles, the celebrated Hancock/Carter/Williams rhythm section (working in Miles Davis's band at the time) combine with the artistry of trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, (the whole group, together with saxophonist George Coleman, recorded Maiden Voyage) who provides an interesting contrast to Davis, with his more aggresive, Coltrane-influenced take on Hard Bop trumpet playing. The aggressive opener 'One Finger Snap' is pure floating groove as generally associated with the rhythm section, while Oliquoi Valley takes a more relaxed but still powerful bent as Freddie Hubbard and Herbie Hancock show their affinity for one another's playing style. The third track is the well known 'Cantaloupe Island' that in the style of 'Watermelon Man' from 'Takin' Off' provides a modal blues line with a stunning groove. The final track is 'The Egg' a free improvisation, where Ron Carter in particular shines. It's interesting to note the disparity in approach between 'The Egg' and other early free jazz, for example the work of Ornette Coleman. Overall this album shows Herbie Hancock's self-assuredness at this early stage in his career and may have never been topped, even by Maiden Voyage, depending on your point of view.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I remember hesitating about buying this back in the sixties...my meagre pocket money wouldn't stretch to buying an album without a sax player...even if it was an album by Herbie Hancock.I managed to get a secondhand mono copy from the Dobells used list.Those were the days.I've since bought the Stereo disc & quite a few CDs for friends as it's become apparent that this is one of the greatest albums from the mid sixties period. Not content with influencing an entire generation of pianists as a member of the Miles Davis group, Hancock went into the studio with Ron Carter, Tony Williams, and Freddie Hubbard and four original tunes and came out with one hit ...Cantaloupe Island...and a record of the highest achievements in improvisation in modern jazz.I mean....Freddie Hubbard's solo on 'One Finger Snap' never ceases to amaze....not least because on the alternate take he doesn't repeat one idea or phrase.The same with Herbie....his solos are thoughtful inventive and addictive to listen to because of the way he negotiates tricky changes with such grace.Ron and Tony are peerless and the recording is fabulous. I'm not sure that the sixties ever got better than this.
By Ian Bracey
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
MUSIC THAT IS JUST A MUST FROM A MASTER MUSICIAN, HIGHLY RECOMMEND ANYONE TO GET THIS AND ADD IT TO YOUR COLLECTION.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
More great jazz at bargain prices!!!
My title for this review pretty much says it all , a wonderful slice of Jazz played by a bunch of high quality musicians who had perfected their mutual craft on other peoples... Read more
Published 2 months ago by free jazz space cadet
5.0 out of 5 stars
Present
I bought this for my uncle who at 72 is a Blue Note Jazz fanatic. He has a large Blue Note Collection and this C/D adds to his collection. He loves it.
Published 6 months ago by Higgo
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not what I expected!
I thought I knew Herbie Hancock's music , but this was not what I expected. Maybe the years have passed and the music changed!
Published 18 months ago by Daydream Believer
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a line-up
The Rudy Van Gelder Edition of EMPYREAN ISLES includes an essay by Bob Blumenthal.
This is part of the Blue Note Rudy Van Gelder Editions series. Read more
This is part of the Blue Note Rudy Van Gelder Editions series. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Elastic Rock
5.0 out of 5 stars
very good cd, very fast delivery
very good cd, very fast delivery. Very nice that such an relatively old album is available on cd. And the price is very modest.
Published on 22 Mar 2011 by Fmj Van Weegberg
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