Is Herbie Hancock's favourite song your favourite of his as well? What's your favourite Herbie Hancock song?

I'll start - Dolphin Dance is an absolute banger.

Trevor McKinnon

I agree about Dolphin Dance. However, the original recording of it is very unsettling to listen to after the initial 38 bars of the tune are played out. I think that's why Herbie didn't list it as his favourite. But having the tune inexplicably repeat from the 5th bar for the trumpet, sax and piano solos etc. contributed to its failure on the Maiden Voyage LP, is sounds amateurish from the solos to the end. But the thing of the repeat breaks all conventions of music. And those conventions are there to prevent music sounding like that. I can't comprehend why Herbie did this; it was a poor error of judgement. Nevertheless, the composition is so great it takes even that much hammering and here we are talking about it today.

Brain Former

Here in Ukraine I've heard "Rockit" in early 90's, and it's even shown in "Courier" soviet movie, it really shows that era...

Ukato Farticus

A year late, but mine is gentle thoughts!

Mr E Bear

2y↑2

Maiden Voyage has always been my favourite Herbie album. Should be recommended more often to jazz newbies.

Floyd Thompson

3y↑2

What I love about Herbie's music is, if you listen close, each song is not a destination, but part of his journey, and like a musical airliner, you can go along for the ride. All you need for a ticket to ride is your ears.

Edward Jons

2y↑2

Maiden Voyage seemed like the obvious choice to me. Looking back through his back catalogue, this is the album, along with Empyrean Isles, that is a masterpiece among sophisticated, improvisational vehicles and as a performance - well it has one of the finest collection of musicians on any recording (thanks largely to Miles). As a musician, improvising over any of Herbie’s pop hits soon gets boring, but Herbies great jazz compositions are on a level with Wayne Shorter’s best - full of possibilities for improvising with engaging harmonies and melodies, and yet is beautifully self-contained.

Russ Keith

2y↑2

Herbie Hancock is my favourite musician of any genre or instrument. I first found him in 1974 when I was searching for something that incorporated both of my favourite musical genres at the time, electronic and funk. I read a review of Head Hunters and thought it sounded promising and I was already a jazz fan. By the time I went to buy the album I had forgotten the title and lost the interview so I bought one with 1974 as the date of release. It turned out to be Fat Albert Rotunda. It wasn't what I was looking for but I liked it. On my next attempt at a 1974 album I found Thrust which came closer to the sound in my head but wasn't quite it. Finally I found Head Hunters from 1973. Bulls eye! I soon started to investigate his catalogue working backwards and became hooked. Apart from the horror of Feats Don't Fail Me Now I've enjoyed everything he's put out - and I mean everything. Maiden voyage was the track that popped into my head as soon as I saw the title of this post because why wouldn't it be?
[Edit] I have just now realised I'm a year out with this comment. Seems to be a thing with me and Herbie.

Dave Edwards

2y↑1

I'm a huge Herbie Hancock fan. I think his work as a sideman with Lee Morgan, is perhaps his best of all. But as a leader, my favorite music is the music just before, and then the Mwandishi era, with several amazing albums... "I Have A Dream." "Toys" and "Tell Me A Bedtime Story" are among my favorites of all time, from any artist. My favorite pianist.