Takin' Off

Takin' Off

ASIN: B000005H3A

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
In some respects Herbie Hancock's first recording as a leader typifies the hard-bop/funk of many late-'50s/early-'60s Blue Note productions (notably Horace Silver's tight-knit group). At the same time, Hancock's lyrical bent and pliable comping point toward the greater abstraction and open-ended, chamber dimensions to come. Blue Note's splendid remastering brings the underrated bassist Butch Warren's bedrock sonority into focus, while Dexter Gordon's laconic virility meshes surprisingly well with the pianist's quicksilver palette. And for those who want to hear the original, unadulterated version of Hancock's earliest signature composition "Watermelon Man," look no further. The disc is rounded out by additional, previously unissued alternate takes. --Jed Distler

Tracks:

Watermelon Man
Three Bags Full
Empty Pockets
The Maze
Driftin'
Alone And I
Watermelon Man (Alt. Take)
Three Bags Full (Alt. Take)
Empty Pockets (Alt. Take)

Amazon.com essential recording

In some respects Herbie Hancock's first recording as a leader typifies the hard-bop/funk of many late-'50s/early-'60s Blue Note productions (notably Horace Silver's tight-knit group). At the same time, Hancock's lyrical bent and pliable comping point toward the greater abstraction and open-ended, chamber dimensions to come. Blue Note's splendid remastering brings the underrated bassist Butch Warren's bedrock sonority into focus, while Dexter Gordon's laconic virility meshes surprisingly well with the pianist's quicksilver palette. And for those who want to hear the original, unadulterated version of Hancock's earliest signature composition "Watermelon Man," look no further. The disc is rounded out by additional, previously unissued alternate takes. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Pure Gold.......2006-03-25

This album is pure gold. Dexter Gordon and Freddie Hubbard take some of the most melodic and beautiful solos in the history of recorded jazz- not to mention Herbie's solos, where he introduces the left hand as a significant tool for improvisation (with the exception of a few, i.e. Art Tatum, Bud Powell, the left hand served more of a straight comping role, where as herbie develops his rhythmic technique to bring jazz piano to a whole new level). Listen to the solos on Driftin and Maze. Sheer genius. If you haven't heard this album, purchase it immediately. It is a must-hear for anyone even remotely interested in jazz.

Why isn't this more popular?.......2005-11-27

In the last year or so, I've truly come to appreciate the second great miles davis quintet: Miles, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams. During that time, I've also come to appreciate early acoustic Herbie Hancock. If it were not for records like TAKIN OFF and MAIDEN VOYAGE, I sincerely believe there never would have been great albums like E.S.P., MILES SMILES, or NEFERTITI. TAKIN OFF really cooks.

TAKIN OFF is Hancock's first solo effort, and a strong one at that. The lineup is pretty impressive with Dexter Gordon (tenor sax), Freddie Hubbard (trumpet), Butch Warren (bass), and Billy Higgins (drums). I always thought Gordon was a much better sax player than George Coleman, who appears on MAIDEN VOYAGE, and would have liked to have seen him fill that role.

This record opens up with the popular 'Watermelon Man' which would appear again many years later on HEADHUNTERS, sounding completely different. I actually consider this to be one of the weaker tracks. Next is 'Three Bags Full' which has a beautifully phrased trumpet solo from Hubbard. The interplay between Herbie and the Gordon/Hubbard combination reminds me at times of hearing Coltrane playing with Thelonius Monk. Gordon also shines on this track, sounding comfortable in the setting, with a wonderful solo leading up to Herbie's moment in the sun.

My favorite track is 'Empty Pockets' which open up with Herbie playing the main theme followed by Gordon and Hubbard joining in a few measures later. Every few measures or so, the time doubles and swings for a few moments. The first soloist to follow is Hubbard over the main theme, with Gordon later on. This tracks swings hard at times, and is one of my favorite acoustic Herbie moments. 'The Maze' is another exceptional track - Hubbard really shines here. I have friends who criticize Hubbard as boring, and while he doesn't match up to Miles Davis or Don Cherry, he is overlooked just as much as this fine record is.

The music settles down a bit with 'Driftin,' a catchy tune similar to later Hancock, like 'Cantaloupe Island' off the EMPYREAN ISLES album. This track also has one of my favorite Dexter Gordon solos - you can hear that he listened to a lot of Trane in those days, but then again, who didn't? The album closes out with the soothing '3am afterhours' sound of 'Alone and I.'

Altogether, TAKIN OFF is a much overlooked gem. In addition to this album, I also recommend MAIDEN VOYAGE which was from a couple years later and we can hear a constantly maturing Hancock. After hearing much of his music from this era, we begin to realize how important of an element Herbie Hancock was to the second great Miles Davis quintet. I'll take Herbie anyday over Red Garland or Wynton Kelly!

Underrated.......2004-02-24

Jazz can be a very personal or subjective form of music. To me Takin' Off by Herbie Hancock is one of the best examples of early 1960's music. Other jazz classics of this time period are generally driven by the trumpet and alto sax. Takin' Off features no less than Freddie Hubbard, Dexter Gordon, Butch Warren, and Billy Higgins. But it is Hancock who is in charge of tempo and mood.

The result is an album of grace, character and soul. Watermelon Man, Empty Pockets and Driftin' are Hancock classics but all six original songs and the three alternate takes are first rate.

All of this was done by Hancock at age 22. No wonder he was able to easily move on to other, more understated forms of Jazz so easily (Maiden Voyage).

Takin' Off is very underrated and a worthy addition to any collection.

All-Star Lineup Makes this a Sure Thing.......2002-07-23

With the personnel on this recording I can't imagine it not satisfying the needs of any jazz listener.
"Takin' Off" makes a big addition to a well-seasoned jazz collection or a great starting-point for those just starting off.

The natural sound of the horns and the rhythm section together makes this one of my favorite acoustic jazz albums of all time. Freddie Hubbard is nothing short of perfect. His clean sound and virtuosity blend perfectly with Dexter Gordon, Herbie, and the rest of the gang.

I highly recommend "Takin' Off" for anyone. It is accessible to those who may have limited interest in jazz yet complex enough to keep jazz enthusiasts engaged.

Best of the 60's.......2002-02-21

In originality and beauty, this set is only surpassed by the great "Maiden Voyage" a few years later. If you own only one HH album, make it one of these two. Takin' Off is awesome, from the wonder of "Watermelon Man" to the energy of "Three Bags Full", "The Maze", and "Empty Pockets" this set blazes forward with energy and crispness. Absolutely essential.

Average customer rating:

Takin' Off
Herbie Hancock
Manufacturer: Blue Note Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Jazz Funk | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music

Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000I5SR
Release Date: 2003-11-03

Tracks:

Watermelon Man
Three Bags Full
Empty Pockets
Maze
Driftin'
Alone and I

Album Description

Japanese 24-bit remastered reissue of 1962 album for Blue Note, packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. EMI. 2003.

Album Details

Japanese Release featuring 24 Bit Remastering and LP Style Slipcase for Initial Pressing Only.

Average customer rating:

Spectacular
Sir Charles's Apollo sides - some with Bird
Traditional jazz at a crossroads, and overlooked as a result.

Takin' Off
Sir Charles Thompson
Manufacturer: Delmark
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000004BG2
Release Date: 1992-04-23

Tracks:

Takin' Off
If I Had You
20th Century Blues
Street Beat
Tunis In
Strange Hours
Rhythm Itch
Mad Lad
Benson Alley
Sir Charles' Boogie
Harlem Jump
Mr. Big Horn
Benson Alley (Alternate)
Strange Hours (Alternate)
Rhythm Itch (Alternate)
Harlem Jump (Alternate)
Mad Lad (Alternate)

Customer Reviews:

Spectacular.......2007-01-15

This album has some really nice gems featuring all-star jazz sidemen. Pianist "Sir" Charles Thompson's' album "Takin' Off" is a sampling of cuts from three sessions done in 1945 and 1947, a time of transition for jazz music. Big bands like those led by Benny Goodman were making way for smaller groups of musicians jamming on sessions. "Sir" Charles Thompson sat at the saddle of the past and future, creating a small-big-band recording on Takin' Off.

The first set of sessions (September 4, 1945) feature the following musicians: Charlie Parker (alto sax), Dexter Gordon (tenor sax), Buck Clayton (trumpet), Sir Charles Thompson (piano), Danny Barker (guitar), Jimmy Butts (bass), and J.C. Heard on drums. These are interesting period pieces featuring a young Dexter Gordon and Charlie Parker. 20th Century Blues is a wonderful piece that seduces listeners.

The second set of sessions (summer, 1947) feature the following musicians: Joe Newman (trumpet), Bob Dorsey (tenor sax), Leo Parker (baritone sax), Sir Charles Thompson (piano), Freddy Green (guitar), John Simmons (bass), and Shadow Wilson (drums). My favorite track from this session would have to be "Tunis In", track number 5, which starts to a happy up tempo piano introduction.

The third set of sessions (December 29, 1947) feature the following musicians: Joe Newman, Taft Jordan (trumpet), H.B. Mitchell (trombone), Bob Dorsey (tenor sax), Tate Houston (baritone sax), Pete Brown (alto sax), Sir Charles Thompson (piano), Hank Morton (guitar), John Simmons (bass), and Shadow Wilson (drums).

Excellent recording, good sound quality and a stellar musical lineup make the purchase of this album a no-brainer! Enjoy it!

Sir Charles's Apollo sides - some with Bird.......2006-09-11

This is an important disc because of the September 4, 1945, session included that features pianist Thompson heading a small band with a young Charlie Parker on alto sax. Dexter Gordon and Buck Clayton are also present (Buck in his army uniform), but it's Bird who captures our greatest attention. 20TH CENTURY BLUES is a great slow blues, and I seem to remember it as the opening theme song on a radio show hosted by Ira Gitler and (I think) Dan Morgenstern in NYC back in the late `60s. It knocked me out then, and it still knocks me out. STREET BEAT is an up-tempo add-a-note tune (1234 JUMP by Flip Phillips, played often by Woody Herman, is a similar song), and also has a terrifically energetic Bird solo. Leo Parker (bari sax) and trumpeter Joe Newman are the featured players on another session from 1947, with MAD LAD getting a frenetic playing. All of these sides were originally done for Apollo and 7 unissued/alternate takes are included. Very nice stuff!

Traditional jazz at a crossroads, and overlooked as a result........2000-07-22

"Sir" Charles Thompson isn't one of your jazz houshold names. This disc probably has more notoriety from the musicians playing on the three studio dates with Thompson: Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Leo Parker, Pete Brown, and a host of others. That's a real shame, because this record really rocks.

That's not a term I would normally use to describe a jazz record. This release covers three dates from 1945 to 1947. The conventional wisdom on what "made" jazz was being seriously challenged. Big bands were on the way out, and Bebop was making inroads.

Sir Charles mixed big band horn arrangements with Bebop, Jump Blues, Swing, using a fairly large band (seven to ten players). The styles on these dates are all over the place, and yet it all hangs together perfectly.

On the technical side, Delmark had the good sense to use CEDAR for the remastering of the record. I don't know what condition the original parts were in, but the sound quality is great, all things considered. There is plenty of detail, with a bit of background chatter picked up in places. There isn't much by way of dynamic range. This has more to do with the mic quality and placement than mastering. There is a bit of surface noise on some tracks. Overall, I've heard far worse sound quality on AM radio. For those of you with low watt tube amps, this record will really shine.

Average customer rating:

Takin' Off
Herbie Hancock
Manufacturer: EMI/Blue Note
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005GKAL

Tracks:

Watermelon Man
Three Bags Full
Empty Pockets
Maze
Driftin'
Alone and I
Watermelon Man [Alternate Take][*]
Three Bags Full [Alternate Take][*]
Empty Pockets [Alternate Take][*]

Average customer rating:

TRACK LIST

Takin' off the Edge
The Bama Band
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000008D5V
Release Date: 1990-08-20

Customer Reviews:

TRACK LIST.......2007-01-24

Song List 1. My Reckless Heart 2. Rock With You Now (Roll With You Later) 3. Boys Like Me 4. She Don't Miss A Thing 5. What Will I Tell My Heart 6. Devil Had A Red Dress On 7. Takin' Off The Edge 8. I'll Take My Heart & Go Home 9. More Than Just A Little 10. She's Movin' In

Average customer rating:

Break U Off/Takin' It Back
Kool Keith , and Kutmasta Kurt
Manufacturer: Dmaft Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002C4IOK
Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

Break U Off [Album Version]
Break U Off [Uptown Remix]
Break U Off [Devil Remix]
Break U Off [Malibu Remix]
Break U Off [Album Instrumental]
Break U Off [Uptown Instrumental]
Break U Off [Devil Instrumental]
Break U Off [Malibu Instrumental]
Takin' It Back [Album Version][*]
Takin' It Back [Album Instrumental][*]

Average customer rating:

Spectacular
Sir Charles's Apollo sides - some with Bird
Traditional jazz at a crossroads, and overlooked as a result.

Takin' Off
Sir Charles Thompson
Manufacturer: Delmark
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000004BG3
Release Date: 1993-09-18

Tracks:

Takin' Off
If I Had You
20th Century Blues
Street Beat
Tunis In
Strange Hours
Rhythm Itch
Mad Lad
Benson Alley
Sir Charles' Boogie [#]
Harlem Jump [#]
Mr. Big Horn
Benson Alley [Alternate Take][#]
Strange Hours [Alternate Take][#]
Rhythm Itch [Alternate Take][#]
Harlem Jump [Alternate Take][#]
Mad Lad [Alternate Take][#]

Customer Reviews:

Spectacular.......2007-01-15

Sir Charles's Apollo sides - some with Bird.......2006-09-11

Traditional jazz at a crossroads, and overlooked as a result........2000-07-22

Average customer rating:

Takin' Off/Tourist

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000CDVRV
Release Date: 2004-02-10

Album Description

Blue Note. 2003.

Average customer rating:

Takin' Off
Herbie Hancock
Manufacturer: Blue Note
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Jazz Funk | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music

Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0002FQM4G
Release Date: 2004-08-30

Tracks:

Watermelon Man
Three Bags Full
Empty Pockets
Maze
Driftin'
Alone and I

Album Description

Japanese limited edition 24-bit remastered reissue of the jazz keyboardist's 1962 album. Blue Note. 2004.

Album Details

24 bit digitally remastered.

Average customer rating:

Takin' Off
Herbie Hancock
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000GUR8

Tracks:

Watermelon Man
Three Bags Full
Empty Pockets
The Maze
Driftin'
Alone And I

Album Description

24 bit digitally remastered Japanese reissue, in aminiaturized LP sleeve limited to the initial pressing only,of his 1962 album for the Blue Note label. Six tracks. 1998Blue Note release.

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

Jazz Music