Herbie Hancock: The Prisoner (1969)

Herbie Hancock's final album for the Blue Note Label was 1969's The Prisoner.

A concept album, a tribute to slain civil rights leader and American hero Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Herbie said he was able to be his real self on this album more than any other leading up to it for Blue Note.

Personally I feel the album has real maturity in it, sort of an even flow through out, hints at free jazz, and modal jazz.

For my money the star of this larger band is tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson. "Boy Joe sure does show up a lot on the best bop sessions of the mid to late 60's".

Joe's husky tone, owes nothing to Coltrane, a rarity by its self, Henderson really adds a lot of fire to the album. Herbie Composed all but one track on the album, "Firewater" is a buster Williams composition that I like rather well.

 The opening track "I Have a Dream" has a fast walking intro that reminds me of Wes Montgomery's "Four on Six" from The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery. Can't really find one complaint on the album, just a fantastic post bop modern jazz album.

Larry Young Contrasts: A Funky Post Bop Vibe

Larry Young was one of the best organists, and one of the few that didn't sound like Jimmy Smith or Richard Groove Holmes.

Young didn't stick with the tried and true formula of soul jazz & funky beats.

Contrasts features a couple of rarely heard, yet more than competent tenor men Herbert Morgan and Tyrone Washington.

Contrasts from 1967 is unusual in that I get this post bop mixed with funk vibe, with a touch of Latin rhythm.

 The opening track "Majestic Soul" features a bogaloo droned beat with congas played by Stacey Young, the track really does have a funky vibe, but would not bore the modern jazz aficionado.

Contrasts in its entirety is much like that opening track, with its post bop foundation, yet it does have this underlying current of R&B or funk that is right there swirling around the music.

Tenor Saxophonist Tyrone Washington should also get a special mention here, he is always stellar on the few sessions he played on, including his only Blue Note session as a leader Natural Essence.

Larry and his Wife Althea also do a duet "Wild is the Wind" works quite well, and actually is better than you might think. In fact, it turned out to be a real special surprise on this fantastic album. Enjoy that below.