School of Rock
Random article All articles A–Z
2 languages

Empyrean Isles

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Empyrean Isles is Herbie Hancock's fourth studio album, released in November 1964 on Blue Note. It was recorded on 17 June 1964 at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Hancock plays piano, together with Freddie Hubbard, the bassist Ron Carter and the drummer Tony Williams. On this session Hubbard plays cornet instead of his usual trumpet. Alfred Lion produced.

All four tracks are original compositions, written over a period of two years. One of them, Cantaloupe Island, grew into a standard. The Penguin Guide to Jazz gave the album its maximum score of four stars. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote that the album officially established Hancock as an important artist in his own right.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Cantaloupe Island and notice how piano, cornet, bass and drums each have a place of their own.

Track list

  1. 1One Finger Snap7:18Apple Music ↗
  2. 2Oliloqui Valley8:28Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Cantaloupe Island5:33Apple Music ↗
  4. 4The Egg13:59Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs