After the release of his 1965 masterpiece Maiden Voyage, the brilliant pianist Herbie Hancock wouldn't record his Blue Note follow-up until 1968 with the innovative classic Speak Like A Child. The album was a showcase of several aspects of Hancock's artistry: as a pianist, a composer, and an arranger.

The session found Hancock expanding his tonal palette by adding the unique coloring of flugelhorn (Thad Jones), bass trombone (Peter Phillips), and alto flute (Jerry Dodgion) to his trio with bassist Ron Carter and drummer Mickey Roker. However, the leader's piano would be spotlighted as the main solo instrument throughout this six-song set including Hancock originals such as the alluring title track, the churning "Riot," the plaintive "Goodbye to Childhood," and the mysterious closer "The Sorcerer," a dedication to Miles Davis which had been recorded by the trumpeter's quintet the year prior. On Carter's spry and cheerful "First Trip" the trio goes it alone delivering a wonderfully agile and swinging performance for the ages.

This gatefold Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Optimal.

Review

A1 Riot
A2 Speak Like A Child
A3 First Trip
B1 Toys
B2 Goodbye To Childhood
B3 The Sorcerer