Herbie Hancock: Driftin'

Recorded approximately one month after his 22nd birthday, Takin Off marks Herbie Hancocks first album as a leader for Blue Note Records. The collection of legendary musicians performing the first complete set of original compositions from an emerging jazz mastermind creates a palpable energy throughout the session. A mid-tempo 32-bar tune, "Driftin" features a slightly mellowed yet intensely melodic flugelhorn solo by Hubbard, and Higgins relaxed cross-stick groove. Hancock takes an extended two-chorus solo, where he already brilliantly balances intricate rhythmic syncopation and metric modulation with a straight-ahead blues foundation. An outstanding introduction to a world-renowned career.