Despite the six-man line up, this fine album can be regarded in the main as a Hancock trio album. We hear an abundance of Hancock’s polished, light-fingered piano improvisations in various settings, ranging from the reckless swing of Riot to the gentle bossa of Speak. The subtly voiced horns and flute serve to assist in theme statements and occasionally prod the soloist.
Herbie comments on the sleeve that he felt this to be his most swinging album up to date, and one doesn’t need to hear much of his earlier work to go along with that idea: witness the loping mid-tempo Toys, where exploration is happily reconciled with restraint. This track is also notable for Carter’s easy fluency on the acoustic bass.
Hancock is no barrelhouse pianist, and among the most attractive aspects of his playing are qualities of intelligence and reflection, which seem to inform even his quickest phrases. He is also a pleasingly diffident player; the listener never feels pressurised, but those who pay attention will discover hidden riches. The music here tends to conjure an atmosphere of peace and liberation, if not naiveté, and in this respect, the album’s title is well chosen.
Discography
Riot; Speak Like A Child; First Trip (18.29) – Toys; Goodbye To Childhood; The Sorcerer (18.33)
Herbie Hancock (p); Ron Carter (b); Mickey Roker (d); Thad Jones (flh); Peter Phillips (btb); Jerry Dodgion (af). Recorded NY, March 1968.
(Blue Note BST 84279)
