3000 Best Albums [2087] Herbie Hancock - Empyrean Isles (1964) Dan's Mini Album Review

[@Foul_Quince]

Fabulous record. Freddy Hubbard is SO under-rated. And (hot take) Tony Williams is, pound-for-pound, the greatest musician ever on record. He is to the drums what Hendrix was to guitar. Talk about musicians who died waaaay to young, he's one at the very, very top of the list. I'll have a video on Rudy Van Gelder up someday!

[@Foul_Quince]

Oh, and Herbie Hancock STILL plays Cantaloupe Island in concert! I saw him earlier this year.

[@dansminialbumreviews]

So, you are much more steeped in this stuff than I am. I certainly rate Freddie's playing on this album, it's not about flash, it's about feel, and he floats it on top like a . I think Herbie does the same on this album too, not as noticeably, but is also content to do support when that's the thing to do. I'll keep an eye open for more appearances of Toby Williams. I know little about Rudy Van Gelder, I do know (as I said) that he had some closely guarded secrets, and that his remixes are spot on for what you would want for jazz (in my opinion) - clarifying without losing warmth.

[@Foul_Quince]

@@dansminialbumreviews This band later worked as the VSOP band, with Wayne Shorter - recreating Miles Davis' classic mid-60's quintet

[@dansminialbumreviews]

@@Foul_Quince VSOP?

[@scatnav]

Tony Williams was a force of nature. He makes it more than the sum of the parts.