One of our favorite jazz albums and one of the best from American Music legend Herbie Hancock, Maiden Voyage is a concept album with an oceanic theme, the music flows almost with tidal dynamics to create a deep ocean feeling on each track focusing on marine elements. The music is timeless and the sound is absolutely superb, remastered by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman.

Grammy Hall Of Fame Award (1999)

Included in the Penguin Guide to Jazz Core Collection List

• Limited Edition
• Cut from the Original Analog Master Tapes
• Mastered by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman
• Mastered at AcousTech
• Two 200g Virgin Vinyl LPs at 45rpm
• Pressed by QRP USA

Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern music. Throughout his explorations, he has transcended limitations and genres while maintaining his unmistakable voice. There are few artists in the music industry who have had more influence on acoustic and electronic jazz and R&B than Herbie Hancock.

Hancock was originally discovered by trumpeter Donald Byrd in 1960. After two years of session work with Byrd as well as Phil Woods and Oliver Nelson, he signed with Blue Note as a solo artist. His 1963 debut album, Takin’ Off was an immediate success, producing the hit “Watermelon Man.”  In 1963, Miles Davis invited Herbie to join the Miles Davis Quintet. During his five years with Davis, Hancock recorded many classics with the jazz legend including ESP, Nefertiti and Sorcerer and later on made appearances on Davis' groundbreaking In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew.

Herbie's own solo career blossomed on Blue Note, with classic albums including Maiden Voyage, Empyrean Isles and Speak Like a Child. 1965's Maiden Voyage is arguably the best in Hancock's series of fine Blue Note albums from the 60s. Every single cut on this album from the haunting "Maiden Voyage" to the gentle, swinging "Dolphin Dance" has found its way into the standard jazz repertoire. Herbie fashioned a modern jazz milestone here with extraordinary compositions, interplay and solos.

"Less overtly adventurous than its predecessor, Empyrean Isles, Maiden Voyage nevertheless finds Herbie Hancock at a creative peak. In fact, it's arguably his finest record of the '60s, reaching a perfect balance between accessible, lyrical jazz and chance-taking hard bop. By this point, the pianist had been with Miles Davis for two years, and it's clear that Miles' subdued yet challenging modal experiments had been fully integrated by Hancock. Not only that, but through Davis, Hancock became part of the exceptional rhythm section of bassist Ron Carter and drummer Tony Williams, who are both featured on Maiden Voyage, along with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and tenor saxophonist George Coleman. The quintet plays a selection of five Hancock originals, many of which are simply superb showcases for the group's provocative, unpredictable solos, tonal textures, and harmonies. While the quintet takes risks, the music is lovely and accessible, thanks to Hancock's understated, melodic compositions and the tasteful group interplay. All of the elements blend together to make Maiden Voyage a shimmering, beautiful album that captures Hancock at his finest as a leader, soloist, and composer." -  Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Musicians:

Herbie Hancock, piano
Ron Carter, bass
George Coleman, tenor saxophone
Freddie Hubbard, trumpet
Anthony Williams, drums

Track Listing:

1. Maiden Voyage
2. The Eye Of The Hurricane
3. Little One
4. Survival Of The Fittest
5. Dolphin Dance  

Click here to listen to samples on AllMusic.com