Takin Off [180-Gram Gatefold Vinyl]

Takin' Off was pianist Herbie Hancock's (born in Chicago on April 12, 1940; he is 79 at this writing) first album under his own name. All of the compositions are by the leader, who is backed by such stars as Dexter Gordon, Freddie Hubbard, Butch Warren, and Billy Higgins. The album includes one of Hancock's best-known compositions, "Watermelon Man", which made it to the Top 100 on the pop charts.