Former Miles Davis' sideman Herbie Hancock launched his long and illustrious solo career with Takin' Off, released by Blue Note in 1962. Featuring Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone, Butch Warren on bass and Billy Higgins on drums, Takin' Off showcased Herbie's abilities as both a leading pianist and as a composer. The standout track is undoubtedly Watermelon Man, a hard bop workout that was to become something of a jazz standard, thanks in part to a cover version by Mongo Santamaria, with Herbie returning to the song in 1973 and caming up with a jazz funk version. As a whole, Takin' Off is an exceptional debut album, one that merely hints at the future creativity of one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time.

1. Watermelon Man
2. Three Bags Full
3. Empty Pockets
4. The Maze
5. Driftin'
6. Alone And I