The Prisoner

A fine balance is maintained between compositional form and subtle voicings on one hand, and the turbulent, explosive energies in the music and the band, from the churning rhythms of Williams and drummer Albert Heath to the coiling snap of Joe Henderson's tenor. Maintaining that balance with Hancock is underrated trumpeter Johnny Coles, who's superb in leads as well as solos, bringing all the experience he gained with Gil Evans and Charles Mingus to bear on Hancock's work. The final recording of Hancock's 1960s Blue Note tenure, this is ambitious and accomplished work. The CD reissue adds two alternate takes to the original LP. The shorter version of "The Prisoner" is notable for Henderson's intense, fluid solo. --Stuart Broomer