In Concert Volume 1
In Concert Volume 2
My organizational scheme has created something of a loophole in my listening, I’ve neglected box sets and mini LPs pretty badly. In fact I think I may have only played these once or twice after I received them a year or two ago. My mistake. These CTI sessions feature a sextet, a band you think might would solo frequently over comping. Strangely enough, given that CTI stalwart Hubbard gets the first bill, both albums seem to be all Herbie Hancock action, from the choice of his compositions to his awe-inspiringly frequent soloing. In fact on both albums, Herbie seems to be the highlight and unlike in his own bands where composition and texture always seemed to take the forefront, here he shows off his very considerable chops ripping Rhodes solos off like there’s no tomorrow. In fact, much of this is what could be considered “on,” and there are moments in “Hornets” and the second volume’s “Gibraltar” that are jawdropping in their intensity. Most of the rest of the band, Hubbard, Turrentine, Jack DeJohnette, and Eric Gale are rather subdued or backstage. Anyway both are basically jam sessions but prove pretty soundly that Hancock could stay with the best in such an environment. Some of it even matches the intensity of the Headhunters band circa Thrust.