‘Empty Pockets’, by Herbie Hancock
Because I’m going to see Hancock with his ‘Tribute To Miles’ gig coming Sunday (accompanied by Wayne Shorter and Marcus Miller, to name a few), I’m going to get in the mood with today’s song ‘Empty Pockets’, from Herbie’s first solo album ‘Takin’ Off’, recorded in 1962. ‘Watermelon Man’ (from the same album) provided Mongo Santamaría with a hit single, but more importantly for Hancock, ‘Takin’ Off’ caught the attention of Miles Davis, who was at that time assembling a new band. He stayed with Miles’s ‘second great quintet’ the next 5 years.
Flanked by superb personnel that includes trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, saxophonist Dexter Gordon, and drummer Billy Higgins, Hancock offers excellent compositions that balance between adventurousness and the rigors of classic hard bop.
Herbie Hancock - Piano
Dexter Gordon - Tenor Saxophone
Freddie Hubbard - Trumpet
Butch Warren - Bass
Billy Higgins - Drums
