Takin' Off

Herbie Hancock's 1962 debut Takin' Off is a Blue Note session that blends hard bop foundations with early modal and post-bop touches, introducing his compositional voice and pianistic style. Backed by Donald Byrd on trumpet, Hank Mobley on tenor, Butch Warren on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums, the album balances driving ensemble writing with more open, modal-leaning harmonies and introduced the groove-inflected composition "Watermelon Man," which became closely associated with Hancock. The performances and clear studio sound mark Hancock's emergence as an important new voice in modern jazz.