Herbie Hancock – “A Jump Ahead”
From “Inventions & Dimensions” : 1963 : BLP 4147
After debuting on Blue Note with two very successful albums (“Takin’ Off” & “My Point of View”), Herbie Hancock quickly showed off the adventurous spirit that would go on to make him one of the most important purveyors of jazz over the next 4 decades (and still today!). Rather than continue with his previous winning formula, Hancock changed gears and put together a quartet that focused almost entirely on rhythm. Even though Willie Bobo and Chihuaha Martinez are providing the percussion, this album is not Latin jazz in the least, but rather is a classic hard bop session. The overall feel of the album is a very spacious one, as if there is larger group playing than the one assembled. Because this album preceded two stone cold jazz classics from Hancock (“Empyrean Isles” and “Maiden Voyage”) it is often overlooked in his vast discography, but it certainly should not be. In the hands of a lesser talent this recording could easily fall flat, but as he has done so many times over Hancock finds a way to take the expected and make it unexpectedly amazing.
Players:
Herbie Hancock (p)
Paul Chambers (b)
Willie Bobo (d, tim)
Osvaldo “Chihuahau” Martinez (cga, bgo, finger cymb, guiro)
