SPEAK LIKE A CHILD

Somewhere in between his high profile stint with Miles Davis and the formation of his experimental Sextet, Herbie Hancock found time to record this beautiful documentation of what an incredible piano player he had become. I love the music on here, it tends to be relaxed and 60s cool, but at the same time very abstract and intellectual, it is the ultimate in pre-hippie hipster music, lounge music for the swinger who has Sarte on his coffee table instead of Playboy. This was recorded before Herbie decided to dive headlong into electronic keyboards and his piano playing is exquisite. As usual, his harmonies fall somewhere between Debussy and Bill Evans, and his soft touch is used to full expression on these dreamy pastel like tunes.

Although most of the tunes on here fit the previously described laid back mood, a couple tunes break the mold a bit. Album opener Riot is a bit agitated and features a fairly strong piano solo, but not as strong as the song title might suggest. The Ron Carter penned First Trip is a throwback to Hancock's early 60s bluesy hard bop roots, but most everything else on here maintains a more impressionistic tone.

Although there are three horn players on here, none of them ever solo, instead they orchestrate the melody and occasionally add color to Herbie's tonal explorations. The arrangements used with this small ensemble are incredible, somehow Hancock uses clever voicings to make them sound like a small orchestra. Scoring for this threesome will pay off for Hancock when he hires a similar horn section for his Sextet and combines his sense of orchestration with electronics for an even larger tonal palette.

If you like really good piano playing, and who doesn't, Herbie is at the peak of his game here. His inventive chord substitutions, lush harmonies, precise rhythms and ability to focus and build long solos put him at the very top in the world of jazz fusion and progressive rock pianists. This album is one of a kind, abstract futuristic lounge music for hipsters in any era, even ones still to come.

Late 60-s and one of the last Herbie's post-bop album. He played with Miles Davis for some years yet, so he 'd bring some relaxed atmosphere, melodic compositions, but quite complex piano under the skin.

All the musicians on support are competent, and build a great back-up sound to Hancock piano, but generally it's his album. Possibly, still a bit conservative for late 60-s, but great example of Hancock piano playing.

Pleasant, quality and interesting album, still with no traces of even early jazz fusion though. Great album for jazz (post-bop) lovers, everyone expecting Hancock unique experimental fusion works should search for a bit later releases.

Songs one through three were originally recorded on March 6th, 1968 (as well as material that would appear on later expanded releases as "bonus" songs #7 & 8) while songs four through six were recorded on March 9th (as well as bonus song #9), all at Rudy Van Gelder's Studio in New Jersey. Other than long-time collaborator Ron Carter, Herbie's new lineup of collaborators are all musicians of his own choosing.

1. "Riot" (4:40) good standard fare jazz. NOthing to write home about--except for the very palpable sense that one gets that this album is about Herbie, Herbie's piano play, and Herbie's ideas. (8.875/10)

2. "Speak Like a Child" (7:51) an amazingly beautiful song: it really draws one in and holds one close, surrounding and imbuing the listener with a calming, comforting feeling that is akin to those precious moments of deep connection between parent and child. One of the finest songs Herbie ever created--and some of the most beautiful piano playing he ever recorded. Quite the appropriate song title. (15/15)

3. "First Trip" (6:02) the only song on the album that is not attributed to Herbie, this is bassist Ron Carter's first and only compositional contribution to Speak Like a Child, one can certainly derive from this tune how much Ron loves bop--especially the mindless entertainment jazz of the past, both post World War II and pre-war; happy-go-lucky, carefree music to escape into--and it's all for Herbie (who solos over the entire song)! (9.25/10)

4. "Toys" (5:53) perhaps Herbie is giving back a little with this one as Ron Carter's bass is mixed very far forward. In the second minute Ron settles into a steady walking routine while Herbie steps into the spotlight--the music feeling very similar to the Vince Guaraldi stuff in the Charlie Brown television show soundtracks (thus the song title?). Herbie's piano work is exquisite: never getting stale or drowsy, always staying vibrant, melodic, and youthful. Brilliant! (9.333/10)

5. "Goodbye To Childhood" (7:07) pretty late-night deep-rumination music--something about this song reminds me of the work of both Bill Evans and the near-ambient solo work that Eberhard Weber would start doing around 1976. An eminently enjoyable musical listening experience; I feel washed and cleansed after listening to this beautiful song. Kudos to the brass section: their contributions were perfect as complements to Herbie's stellar piano play. (14.125/15)

6. "The Sorcerer" (5:37) it is rare that I feel some Chick Corea in Herbie's music, but this is one of those occasions: the tempo and phrasing (as well as Ron Carter's walking bass lines) feel as if they come straight out of my favorite Chick album of all-time, 1978's The Mad Hatter (to which, curiously, Herbie was a contributor). (9.125/10)

Total time 37:10

I agree with many other reviewers and music critics that with this album Herbie puts on display the extraordinary growth he has achieved piano player but more it shows how mature he's become as both a composer and bandleader! Speak Like a Child definitely contains some of my favorite piano music of all-time.

A/four stars; another jazz masterpiece--this one piano-centric--that I think every music lover would like--especially if you're partial to the melodic side of jazz. I have to say that I think of all the Herbie Hancock albums I've heard, this one might contain the most beautiful music--and certainly Herbie's prettiest piano playing.