Herbie Hancock - Speak Like A Child (rvg)

1 Riot - 4:40 2 Speak Like a Child - 7:50 3 First Trip - 6:01 4 Toys - 5:52 5 Goodbye to Childhood - 7:06 6 The Sorcerer - 5:36 7 Riot [First Alternate Take][Alternate Take][*] - 4:55 8 Riot [Second Alternate Take][*] - 4:40 9 Goodbye to Childhood [Alternate Take][*] - 5:49

In the midst of his stint working for Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock released two of his finest albums, 1965's Maiden Voyage and 1968's Speak Like a Child. Though the earlier disc may boast stronger players and more innovative compositions, on Speak Hancock's true lyrical sensibilities come into light. The Carter-penned "First Trip" lets Hancock loose on the ivories, "Goodbye to Childhood" is meditative, and "The Sorcerer"--written by Hancock for Davis himself--swings. Thad Jones on flügelhorn, Peter Phillips on bass trombone, and Jerry Dodgion on alto flute all deliver impressive performances but Hancock--setting a tone for his fusion experiments to follow--steals the show. --James Hendrickson

Price: $12.98