Sir I need your John Hancock here. DUH!? It's Herbie Hancock!

If you recognize that line congrats, if not it's from Tommy Boy--a movie I definitely suggest you check out! Today I have one of the hippest dudes ever. Herbie Hancock has been making great jazz for the better part of 70 years. He was part of Miles Davis' "second great quintet" as during his tenure there, helped to redefine the role of a rhythm section.

I love Hancock for a few reasons: first, his album "Maiden Voyage" is great smooth piano jazz; second, he has continued to make great jazz although often pushing the style and merging it with other genres (Funk, hip-hop, etc.); third, he's a Buddhist.

Today I am uploading "Maiden Voyage," Hancock's fifth studio album. I would like to post more about Herbie, but I think to truly appreciate him you need to move through his work and see the changes in his style. Here is the title track:



But, to give you a little idea of what he has gone on to produce, here is a version of perhaps his most famous song: "Watermelon Man" initially from the album Takin' Off, but this is a version from Head Hunters that is drastically redone.



Check both out and see the incredible changes in his style. We're sure to see more from him!

Dude doesn't look bad for 70!

And here is the album - Maiden Voyage (1965)