Herbie Hancock - Speak Like A Child (1968/2013) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

"Speak Like A Child" is Herbie Hancock’s 1968 masterpiece. It features a star-studded lineup, which includes Ron Carter, Mickey Roker, Jerry Dodgion, Thad Jones and Peter Phillips. It reached the Top Twenty on Billboard’s Top Jazz Albums and includes the hits, “The Sorcerer” and the title-track. This thought-provoking listen features Hancock’s signature lyrical playing and melodic brilliance.

Between 1965's Maiden Voyage and 1968's Speak Like a Child, Herbie Hancock was consumed with his duties as part of the Miles Davis Quintet, who happened to be at their creative and popular peak during those three years. When Hancock did return to a leadership position on Speak Like a Child, it was clear that he had assimilated not only the group's experiments, but also many ideas Miles initially sketched out with Gil Evans. Like Maiden Voyage, the album is laid-back, melodic, and quite beautiful, but there are noticeable differences between the two records. Hancock's melodies and themes have become simpler and more memorable, particularly on the title track, but that hasn't cut out room for improvisation. Instead, he has found a balance between accessible themes and searching improvisations that work a middle ground between post-bop and rock. Similarly, the horns and reeds are unconventional. He has selected three parts – Thad Jones' flügelhorn, Peter Phillips' bass trombone, Jerry Dodgion's alto flute – with unusual voicings, and he uses them for tonal texture and melodic statements, not solos. The rhythm section of bassist Ron Carter and drummer Mickey Roker keeps things light, subtle, and forever shifting, emphasizing the hybrid nature of Hancock's original compositions. But the key to Speak Like a Child is in Hancock's graceful, lyrical playing and compositions, which are lovely on the surface and provocative and challenging upon closer listening.

Tracklist:

01 - Riot
02 - Speak Like A Child
03 - First Trip
04 - Toys
05 - Goodbye To Childhood
06 - The Sorcerer

Produced by Duke Pearson. Engineered by Rudy Van Gelder.
Recorded on March 6 & 9, 1968 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Remastered in 2013 by Bernie Grundman.

Musicians:
Herbie Hancock - piano
Ron Carter - bass
Mickey Roker - drums
Jerry Dodgion - alto flute (except "3")
Thad Jones - flugelhorn (except "3")
Peter Phillips - bass trombone (except "3")

In preparing these hi def remasters, we were very conscientious about maintaining the feel of the original releases while adding a previously unattainable transparency and depth. It now sounds like you've set up your chaise lounge right in the middle of Rudy Van Gelder's studio! – Blue Note President, Don Was.

Thanks to the Original customer!