Herbie Hancock: Speak Like a Child UHQCD

Blue Note, 1968

UHQCD Japanese import. Specially remastered from originals by Kevin Gray. Presented in a UHQCD jewel case with obi-strip and the original sleeve notes. Catalog Number: UCCQ-9728.

Following 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 like 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.

UHQCDs reproduce the sound of original master tapes as faithfully as possible by utilizing new transfer technologies and improved materials to produce high-quality sound with a better representation of the whole stage. UHQCDs comply with CD standards and can be played on existing players.