Takin' Off (album)

Takin' Off is the debut album of jazz pianist Herbie Hancock originally released in 1962 for the Blue Note label as BST 84109. The recording session included Freddie Hubbard on trumpet and veteran Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone. The album was a typical hard bop LP, with its characteristic two horns and a rhythm section. The bluesy single "Watermelon Man" made it to the Top 100 of the pop charts, and went on to become a jazz standard. The album has been called "one of the most accomplished and stunning debuts in the annals of jazz." It was released on CD in 1996 with three alternate takes and then remastered in 2007 by Van Gelder. The 2007 edition features new liner notes by Bob Blumenthal.

Track listing
All compositions by Herbie Hancock.


 * 1) "Watermelon Man" – 7:09
 * 2) "Three Bags Full" – 5:27
 * 3) "Empty Pockets" – 6:09
 * 4) "The Maze" – 6:45
 * 5) "Driftin'" – 6:58
 * 6) "Alone and I" – 6:25

Bonus tracks on reissue :  "Watermelon Man" (Alternate take) – 6:33 "Three Bags Full" (Alternate take) – 5:31 "Empty Pockets" (Alternate take) – 6:27 

Personnel

 * Herbie Hancock — piano
 * Freddie Hubbard — trumpet
 * Dexter Gordon — tenor saxophone
 * Butch Warren — bass
 * Billy Higgins — drums