TAKIN' OFF

The first session under his own name and what a backing band. Herbie was only 22 at the time and this is the album that has the first version of Watermelon Man. A timeless Jazz classic was penned by Herbie and the composition is used frequently in Latin Jazz as well as mainstream still today and is now considered a standard in Jazz.

Produced by Alfred Lion as usual and engineered by Rudy Van Gelder.The Superstar Dexter Gordon himself provides Tenor sax with his fantastic tone, Freddy Hubbard on trumpet and with the rythmn section of Butch Warren and Billy Higgins you know you are in for a treat.

Watermelon Man starts off proceedings and is by far the best composition on the album. Gospel based and simply as catchy as you can get. Freddie starts off the solos,followed by Dexter and then Herbie Same again on track 2 Three Bags Full listen for a quick Baa Black Sheep.

The Maze is quite an interesting piece and I dig Freddies solo and with a quick hit from Herbie,Dexter is on and then Herbie gives a lovely solo, great jazz.

Essential stuff for a Herbie Fan and also for anyone who likes good Jazz. Miles is to come for Herbie soon and Jazz immortatlity will be made in the famous Miles Davis Quintet