Pianist and composer Herbie Hancock has had a long and varied career, during which he's enjoyed both creative and commercial success, though seldom at the same time. For many listeners, his creative peak came early, on two stunning Blue Note recordings, Maiden Voyage and the less celebrated Empyrean Isles. Recorded in 1964, Empyrean Isles is the earlier of the two and also the most radical. Hancock's quartet features Freddie Hubbard substituting a cornet for his usual trumpet, and getting a more burnished, slightly warmer sound. Without the jazz-typical saxophone present, Hancock's is almost a naked band, and the single horn blurs the lines between the pianist's mood-rich compositions and improvisation. The group uses the increased sense of space for intense collective creation, with Hancock and drummer Tony Williams pressing far beyond their instruments' usual roles and engaging Hubbard in edgy, complex dialogue, while bassist Ron Carter anchors the performances. Hubbard rises to the occasion with brilliance, responding to the stimulus with a fluency of thought and execution--a daring that built on his avant-garde experience with musicians like John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Eric Dolphy. From the breezy "Oliloqui Valley" to the funky "Cantaloupe Island" and on to the dissonance of the extended "Egg," this is one of the most significant documents of the Blue Note style that emerged in the mid-'60s. It's music that tests the balance of control and risk, and Hubbard's is also one of the great performances by a trumpeter in modern jazz. --Stuart Broomer
Product Description
Herbie Hancock's fourth Blue Note album with Freddie Hubbard, Ron Carter and Tony Williams defined the sound that his jazz work would carry to this day: funk, delicate harmonies and experimental improvisation all somehow working together. "One Finger Snap" and, of course, "Cantaloupe Island" have become jazz classics.
Includes two bonus tracks.
Empyrean Isles,Herbie Hancock,Blue Note Records,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop
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Empyrean Isles
Herbie Hancock Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  Bebop General
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Hard Bop
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ASIN: B00000I8UG Release Date: 1999-03-23 |
Tracks:
- One Finger Snap
- Ololoqui Valley
- Cantaloupe Island
- The Egg
- One Finger Snap (Alternative Take)
- Oliloqui Valley (Alternative Take)
Amazon.com
Pianist and composer Herbie Hancock has had a long and varied career, during which he's enjoyed both creative and commercial success, though seldom at the same time. For many listeners, his creative peak came early, on two stunning Blue Note recordings, Maiden Voyage and the less celebrated Empyrean Isles. Recorded in 1964, Empyrean Isles is the earlier of the two and also the most radical. Hancock's quartet features Freddie Hubbard substituting a cornet for his usual trumpet, and getting a more burnished, slightly warmer sound. Without the jazz-typical saxophone present, Hancock's is almost a naked band, and the single horn blurs the lines between the pianist's mood-rich compositions and improvisation. The group uses the increased sense of space for intense collective creation, with Hancock and drummer Tony Williams pressing far beyond their instruments' usual roles and engaging Hubbard in edgy, complex dialogue, while bassist Ron Carter anchors the performances. Hubbard rises to the occasion with brilliance, responding to the stimulus with a fluency of thought and execution--a daring that built on his avant-garde experience with musicians like John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Eric Dolphy. From the breezy "Oliloqui Valley" to the funky "Cantaloupe Island" and on to the dissonance of the extended "Egg," this is one of the most significant documents of the Blue Note style that emerged in the mid-'60s. It's music that tests the balance of control and risk, and Hubbard's is also one of the great performances by a trumpeter in modern jazz. --Stuart BroomerAlbum Description
Herbie Hancock's fourth Blue Note album with Freddie Hubbard, Ron Carter and Tony Williams defined the sound that his jazz work would carry to this day: funk, delicate harmonies and experimental improvisation all somehow working together. "One Finger Snap" and, of course, "Cantaloupe Island" have become jazz classics.Includes two bonus tracks.
Customer Reviews:
Hancock's best ever - essential jazz masterpiece.......2007-05-26
Anyway, the first thing to note is the guy behind the drum kit. That's right, Tony Williams is on this album. That should make it reason enough to buy it, no? Here's another. This record has the classic Canteloupe Island on it. Kind of like the original Watermelon Man (the one found on Takin' Off, that is) in that it's based around a simple funk-blues piano theme that becomes the launch pad for some stellar solos from cornet player Freddie Hubbard and Hancock himself. The Egg is also worth your while - its unpredictable structure messes with your head (it could've been three different songs!) and justifies the quarter-hour length. If I had this on vinyl, I could easily see myself spinning side 2 of this album to death.
To be honest, side one can't match up to side two. But I gave this five stars for a reason: Every song rules. One Finger Snap is an exciting, energetic piece of post-bop, and the ballad Oliloqui Valley boasts some melodic bass playing from Ron Carter. I like melodic bass playing.
This is a pure classic, plain and simple. A mix of modal jazz and blues - like Kind of Blue, only less blue. Maiden Voyage pales in comparison.
Herbie Hancock Has Arrived..........2007-05-13
Empyrean Isles is one of those rare albums that manage to stretch the limits of the English language. It is such a wonderful album that one sometimes struggles to find a word to describe it. Whenever asked how the album is, I always find myself frowning up my face, and then replying with the basic "That one is GOOD!!!" This is one of those albums that achieves perfect balance, and fills in the gaps in the center of your jazz collection. It isn't as subdued as "Kind of Blue", but it isn't quite as upbeat as "Miles Smiles". Empyrean Isles has a little more flare than "Lush Life", but it isn't quite as fiery as "A Love Supreme". To put it plainly, this album is the perfect balance of Freddie Hubbard's fire and Herbie Hancock's melodic harmony, and the fact that Herbie composed every song himself makes it all the more impressive.
I must admit though, in order to get the full effect of this compositional masterpiece, you really need to be sitting home alone or somewhere with your headphones on and your eyes closed. Needless to say the samples are virtually useless. There is no way possible to contain all the harmony, or display all the little nuances that make these compositions great within a 30 second time frame. Do yourself a favor: Take the dive...and enjoy!
1+ 3.......2006-12-06
5 stars for music --- 2 stars for remastering.......2006-04-13
I won't comment on the musical content as others have done a great job with that except to say that this is one of the finest Blue Note sessions ever recorded. At this writing there are a few used copies of the first remaster done by Ron McMaster. I would recommend that you grab that issue instead.
Isle breezes oh so cool.......2005-04-03
"One finger snap" starts the mood right on this CD. It gets you ready for what Empyrean Isles has in store.
"Cantaloupe Island", as I could remember, was sampled by British pop group Us3 in 1995. The song was murdered for airplay, although its active, jumpy piano loops and bass lines is very addictive.
"Oliloqui Valley" is just as addictive. The upright bass line, simple keys and breezy trumpet notes starting the song can be looped as a song itself.
"The Egg" is an experimental track with some "freestyles" from each instrumentalist. Listen to the drums get beaten to death on one segment.
"Isles" is definitely a Blue Note classic. Cop the record and you would want to keep it in your CD rotation.
Average customer rating: 
|
Empyrean Isles
Herbie Hancock Manufacturer: Blue Note ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General
| Bebop
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Hard Bop
| Bebop
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Jazz Fusion
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Modern Postbebop
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
Blue Note Records
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ASIN: B00069BOK0 Release Date: 2005-01-05 |
Tracks:
- One Finger Snap
- Oliloqui Valley
- Cantaloupe Island
- Egg
- One Finger Snap [Alternate Take][*]
- Oliloqui Valley [Alternate Take][*]
Album Description
Japanese 24-bit remastered reissue of 1964 album packaged in a limited edition miniature LP sleeve. Blue Note. 2004.Album Details
24bit digitally remastered Japanese release.
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Empyrean Isles
ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
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ASIN: B000PDZPNO Release Date: 2007-06-26 |
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Empyrean Isles
Herbie Hancock Manufacturer: Blue Note Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General
| Bebop
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Hard Bop
| Bebop
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Jazz Fusion
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Modern Postbebop
| Jazz
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| Music
General
| R&B
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Blue Note Records
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ASIN: B00005GKB3 Release Date: 1994-12-21 |
Tracks:
- One Finger Snap
- Oliloqui Valley
- Cantaloupe Island
- Egg
- One Finger Snap [Alternate Take][*]
- Oliloqui Valley [Alternate Take][*]
Average customer rating:
|
Empyrean Isles
Herbie Hancock Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General
| Bebop
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Hard Bop
| Bebop
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Jazz Fusion
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Modern Postbebop
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
General
| Funk
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
Blue Note Records
| Amazon.com Label Stores
| Stores
| Music
General
| Jazz
| Indie Music
| Stores
| Music
Jazz Fusion
| Jazz
| Indie Music
| Stores
| Music
Modern Post Bop
| Jazz
| Indie Music
| Stores
| Music
General
| R&B
| Indie Music
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B000005HCT Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- One Finger Snap
- One Finger Snap (Alt. Take)
- Oliloqui Valley
- Oliloqui Valley (Alt. Take)
- Cantaloupe Island
- The Egg
Amazon.com
Pianist and composer Herbie Hancock has had a long and varied career, during which he's enjoyed both creative and commercial success, though seldom at the same time. For many listeners, his creative peak came early, on two stunning Blue Note recordings, Maiden Voyage and the less celebrated Empyrean Isles. Recorded in 1964, Empyrean Isles is the earlier of the two and also the most radical. Hancock's quartet features Freddie Hubbard substituting a cornet for his usual trumpet, and getting a more burnished, slightly warmer sound. Without the jazz-typical saxophone present, Hancock's is almost a naked band, and the single horn blurs the lines between the pianist's mood-rich compositions and improvisation. The group uses the increased sense of space for intense collective creation, with Hancock and drummer Tony Williams pressing far beyond their instruments' usual roles and engaging Hubbard in edgy, complex dialogue, while bassist Ron Carter anchors the performances. Hubbard rises to the occasion with brilliance, responding to the stimulus with a fluency of thought and execution--a daring that built on his avant-garde experience with musicians like John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Eric Dolphy. From the breezy "Oliloqui Valley" to the funky "Cantaloupe Island" and on to the dissonance of the extended "Egg," this is one of the most significant documents of the Blue Note style that emerged in the mid-'60s. It's music that tests the balance of control and risk, and Hubbard's is also one of the great performances by a trumpeter in modern jazz. --Stuart BroomerAlbum Description
Herbie Hancock's fourth Blue Note album with Freddie Hubbard, Ron Carter and Tony Williams defined the sound that his jazz work would carry to this day: funk, delicate harmonies and experimental improvisation all somehow working together. "One Finger Snap" and, of course, "Cantaloupe Island" have become jazz classics.Includes two bonus tracks.
Customer Reviews:
Hancock's best ever - essential jazz masterpiece.......2007-05-26
Anyway, the first thing to note is the guy behind the drum kit. That's right, Tony Williams is on this album. That should make it reason enough to buy it, no? Here's another. This record has the classic Canteloupe Island on it. Kind of like the original Watermelon Man (the one found on Takin' Off, that is) in that it's based around a simple funk-blues piano theme that becomes the launch pad for some stellar solos from cornet player Freddie Hubbard and Hancock himself. The Egg is also worth your while - its unpredictable structure messes with your head (it could've been three different songs!) and justifies the quarter-hour length. If I had this on vinyl, I could easily see myself spinning side 2 of this album to death.
To be honest, side one can't match up to side two. But I gave this five stars for a reason: Every song rules. One Finger Snap is an exciting, energetic piece of post-bop, and the ballad Oliloqui Valley boasts some melodic bass playing from Ron Carter. I like melodic bass playing.
This is a pure classic, plain and simple. A mix of modal jazz and blues - like Kind of Blue, only less blue. Maiden Voyage pales in comparison.
Herbie Hancock Has Arrived..........2007-05-13
Empyrean Isles is one of those rare albums that manage to stretch the limits of the English language. It is such a wonderful album that one sometimes struggles to find a word to describe it. Whenever asked how the album is, I always find myself frowning up my face, and then replying with the basic "That one is GOOD!!!" This is one of those albums that achieves perfect balance, and fills in the gaps in the center of your jazz collection. It isn't as subdued as "Kind of Blue", but it isn't quite as upbeat as "Miles Smiles". Empyrean Isles has a little more flare than "Lush Life", but it isn't quite as fiery as "A Love Supreme". To put it plainly, this album is the perfect balance of Freddie Hubbard's fire and Herbie Hancock's melodic harmony, and the fact that Herbie composed every song himself makes it all the more impressive.
I must admit though, in order to get the full effect of this compositional masterpiece, you really need to be sitting home alone or somewhere with your headphones on and your eyes closed. Needless to say the samples are virtually useless. There is no way possible to contain all the harmony, or display all the little nuances that make these compositions great within a 30 second time frame. Do yourself a favor: Take the dive...and enjoy!
1+ 3.......2006-12-06
5 stars for music --- 2 stars for remastering.......2006-04-13
I won't comment on the musical content as others have done a great job with that except to say that this is one of the finest Blue Note sessions ever recorded. At this writing there are a few used copies of the first remaster done by Ron McMaster. I would recommend that you grab that issue instead.
Isle breezes oh so cool.......2005-04-03
"One finger snap" starts the mood right on this CD. It gets you ready for what Empyrean Isles has in store.
"Cantaloupe Island", as I could remember, was sampled by British pop group Us3 in 1995. The song was murdered for airplay, although its active, jumpy piano loops and bass lines is very addictive.
"Oliloqui Valley" is just as addictive. The upright bass line, simple keys and breezy trumpet notes starting the song can be looped as a song itself.
"The Egg" is an experimental track with some "freestyles" from each instrumentalist. Listen to the drums get beaten to death on one segment.
"Isles" is definitely a Blue Note classic. Cop the record and you would want to keep it in your CD rotation.
Average customer rating:
|
Empyrean Isles
Herbie Hancock ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B0002XNCF0 Release Date: 2004-01-06 |
Album Description
24 bit digitally remastered Japanese reissue of theacclaimed jazz keyboardist's 1964 album for Blue Note in aminiaturized LP sleeve with the original cover art intactfor the initial pressing only. The All-Music Guide gave therecord four & a half stars (out of five possible). Four tracks. 1999 release.Pop Music:
- End of the World Party (Just in Case)
- Flashpoint
- Fourplay
- Giant Steps
- Glow
- Gold Experience
- Grisman & Garcia
- Guitar Trio: Paco de Lucia/John McLaughlin/Al Di Meola
- In Flux
- In Praise of Dreams
