Herbie Hancock Speak Like a Child: Liberty Address Blue Note LP

Would it be crazy to suggest Speak Like A child is Herbie Hancock's masterpiece?

It is an album that has grown on me over the years. I always liked for the Gil Evans influence.

God I would have loved to have heard Miles Davis play on this.

Herbie mentioned he wanted an album that was more uplifting, and would relay the possibilities of life, and perhaps a better future.

He wanted to remember the qualities you lose from childhood, perhaps the innocence of a first kiss? Speak Like a Child is a soft and smooth around the edges album, not light weight, and not over produced. But have a soft slow to unfold foundation. Just a gorgeous piece of music.

I don't think Herbie Hancock  ever made a bad acoustic jazz album, and every single one of his Blue Note's are worth having for sure.  My favorite tracks on Speak Like A Child are "Riot" and the title track.

This pictured vinyl copy of the album ran me less than 20 bucks, honestly I can't remember what I paid for sure, but right now you can get a copy easily for less than 30 dollars for a VG+ or better Liberty Pressing.

Jeremy Steig: Wayfaring Stranger Blue Note Vinyl From 1970

I didn't even realize Jeremy Steig did any Blue Note albums until several years ago when I ran across this copy of pictured copy of Wayfaring Stranger.

Steig is an underrated flutist and has a pretty good sens of taste as to not allow his more commercial aspirations of the 70's turn into schlock fests.

This music is straight ahead jazz with a funky vibe, Guitarist Sam Brown adds variety and heat to the music.

Bassist Eddie Gomez provides some nice funky fat bass grooves, but the album is not straight ahead funk or anything, a nice varied mood throughout.

Turns out Wayfaring Stranger was the only record Steig did for Blue Note, He did other work for Solid State, and Some jazz funk, almost border-lining on disco music for CTI records.

This vinyl copy ran about 20 dollars, It was certainly worth it to add to my Blue Note vinyl collection. If you can find one grab it, they are hard to find.

As a side note: Steig's tune "Howlin' For Judy" from the LP Legwork was sampled by the Beastie Boys on the track "Sure Shot".