Description
Herbie Hancock – Empyrean Isles – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
Released on June 17, 1964, Empyrean Isles is the fourth studio album by jazz pianist Herbie Hancock. Recorded at Van Gelder Studio in New Jersey and released on Blue Note Records, this album captures Hancock at a pivotal moment in his career, experimenting with modal jazz, hard bop, and avant-garde elements, while still maintaining a rhythmic groove that foreshadowed jazz fusion. Featuring a stripped-down quartet format, Empyrean Isles is a testament to Hancock’s ability to innovate and reshape jazz.
The Quartet: A Minimalist but Powerful Ensemble
For this session, Hancock assembled a remarkable quartet that deviated from the traditional hard bop lineup by excluding a saxophonist, allowing for more open space in the music. This lineup features musicians from Miles Davis’ second great quintet, and their chemistry is undeniable, leading to an album that is both cohesive and exploratory.
Each of the four tracks explores different aspects of modern jazz, from swinging grooves to abstract improvisation, showing Hancock’s range as a composer and improviser.
“One Finger Snap” – A high-energy hard bop opener, driven by rapid-fire interplay between Hancock’s piano and Tony Williams’ aggressive drumming. Freddie Hubbard’s cornet soars over the rhythmic shifts, making this one of the album’s most exhilarating tracks.
“Oliloqui Valley” – A darker, more modal piece, featuring tense harmonies and syncopated basslines. Hancock’s solo here is full of tension and release, pushing the boundaries of traditional jazz structures.
“Cantaloupe Island” – The most famous track from the album, blending bluesy piano riffs with a funk-infused groove. This song became one of Hancock’s signature compositions and was later sampled in the 1993 jazz-rap hit “Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)” by Us3, introducing it to a new generation.
“The Egg” – The most avant-garde and free-flowing track, filled with spontaneous shifts in tempo, spacey improvisations, and intense dynamic contrasts. This piece foreshadows Hancock’s later work in fusion and experimental jazz.
Empyrean Isles was highly praised for its innovation, though some listeners found its abstract nature challenging. Over time, the album became recognized as one of the most important recordings in jazz history, influencing post-bop, jazz fusion, and even hip-hop decades later.
The track “Cantaloupe Island” remains one of the most sampled and covered jazz compositions and is frequently performed by contemporary jazz artists. Meanwhile, the adventurous spirit of “The Egg” would later resurface in Hancock’s fusion experiments with the Headhunters in the 1970s.
Empyrean Isles is a landmark jazz album, showcasing Herbie Hancock’s ability to bridge tradition with innovation. It’s a must-listen for jazz lovers, whether you’re drawn to hard bop swing, funky grooves, or avant-garde experimentation. With its masterful musicianship and forward-thinking compositions, the album remains one of Hancock’s greatest achievements, setting the stage for his continued evolution as a jazz pioneer.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sleeve
Track Listing
One Finger Snap
Oliloqui Valley
Cantaloupe Island
The Egg
