Richard B. Luhrs | Jackson Heights, NY United States | 09/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Even by the supremely high standards of Blue Note Records in the mid-1960s, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson's HAPPENINGS was a rare event. This superb quartet session (with Herbie Hancock on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass and Joe Chambers on drums) remains not only the pinnacle of Hutcherson's outstanding career but one of the absolute best of sixties jazz dates - no mean accomplishment on either hand.
With six originals by Hutcherson and the finest "cover" of Hancock's classic "Maiden Voyage" ever attempted, HAPPENINGS is a thoroughly modern set, but also a more mainstream one than many of Hutcherson's other recordings from the era. The brisk, edgy "Aquarian Moon" modulates flawlessly into the aching beauty of "Bouquet," both tracks making the most of the de facto chops duel between Hutcherson and Hancock which is the most crucial component of this date's success. The lack of horns allows a level of interplay between these two men - indeed, between all four men - which would be inconceivable with a larger front line. Few other jazz albums epitomize the ideal of a group of musicians thinking and playing as one quite as well as HAPPENINGS, and I mean that most seriously. From the rousing flash of "Rojo" through "Maiden Voyage"'s awe-inspiring maintenance of restrained power, the reflective yet dignified sentiment of "When You Are Near" to the inspired silliness of "Omen" (the sole avant-garde number here), everything works, connects, complements and convinces. This is a statement of musical purpose as fully realized as any you're likely to hear, and a singularly bright feather in the cap of everyone involved.
Sadly, HAPPENINGS is also one of far too many classic albums which Blue Note has been unforgivably late in reissuing Stateside. The 24-bit Rudy Van Gelder remaster of this date has existed since at least 1998, when it was released in Japan, but is only now seeing the light of day in the home of jazz (and Bobby Hutcherson). I can't imagine why this is so; but at least HAPPENINGS is happening once again, and that's something all fans of good music should be truly glad to hear."
Masterpiece from An American National Treasure
Ian Muldoon | Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia | 10/10/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"
There is not a dull note or wasted beat on this masterpiece from 1966. This is a direct replication of the original album. It swings from the first track AQUARIAN MOON and never lets up climaxing in one of my all-time favourite tracks THE OMEN, which is a nod towards free music. Six out of seven tracks are by the leader, and major jazz master Mr Hutcherson, and one by the renowned Mr Hancock - MAIDEN VOYAGE which rivals its twin on the album of the same name, one of the most famous single tracks in all modern jazz. Along with this track, there is a waltz BOUQUET with an amazing solo by Mr Hutcherson, a Spanish flavoured number, ROJO, a ballad WHEN YOU ARE NEAR, which provide a beautifully balanced programme of music. After many, many listenings over 30 years I am still touched by the feeling and inventiveness of this beautiful music. Compare it to THROB to see how lightweight THROB is (Mr Jarrett and Mr Burton). I believe BOUQUET and THE OMEN can sit quite comfortably alongside other masterpieces in the music, such as John Lewis' DJANGO, or Mr Hubbard's RED CLAY. It's one of my "can't live without this music" discs. It's also got one of the sexiest and best designed covers ever by Reid Miles."
It's Finally "Happenings"
Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 09/12/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Bobby Hutcherson's "Dialogue" is an undisputed modern jazz masterpiece, but in the last twenty years, the average fan would have been hard pressed to locate a second Blue Note album by the vibraphonist. Yes, many of his albums have been available as limited edition titles in the Connoisseur Series, or briefly at the dawn of the CD era before drifting out-of-print. But with the recent reissue of "Oblique" (see my review) and now "Happenings" in the RVG Edition Series, other Hutch discs are finally receiving a permanent place in the EMI catalog. Recorded on February 8, 1966, "Happenings" is the first of two memorable quartet albums the vibes-man made with pianist Herbie Hancock and drummer Joe Chambers. (Both men appeared previously on "Components," but that was a sextet date.) After penning no original material for "Dialogue" and only half of "Components," Hutch provides six of seven compositions here, with the exception being a stripped-down version of Hancock's "Maiden Voyage." With this date, Hutcherson's writing is beginning to take on a stark, modern voice, particularly on "Aquarian Moon" and the enchanting "Bouquet." After being out-of-print for more than fifteen years, I'm delighted that "Happenings" is happening once again, though I am a bit surprised that EMI didn't update the cheesy cover, as they did for "Oblique.""
This is Happenin' Baby!
H. L. Morris | North Carolina | 09/12/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Love this record. Great to see it finally re-issued. And hey I for one love the Reid Miles cover art. Like the music it's seductive with just the right touch of cheese. Question: wasn't "Blow Up" on this record once? I don't seem to see it here......
A great one. Right up there with Oblique and Dialogue. Not avant like those, but just a record with easy pleasures that you can listen to any time you like, and have fun listening, which is no small feat."
Classic from the 60s
Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 10/30/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was a real eye-opener for me when I first bought it as an LP back in the mid-60s. I was used to the styles of such modern hard boppers as Art Blakey and Horace Silver, and this was basically nothing like that. The most "radical" piece is THE OMEN, which is totally free and contains some of the most spirited and adventurous jazz of the 60s. Hutcherson's marimba solo is absolutely compelling, and Joe Chambers's multi-percussion voices are fascinating, culminating in an explosive ending. Herbie Hancock's MAIDEN VOYAGE gets an excellent reading: there are lots of spaces in the theme that allow a great deal of tension to build. HEAD START is the most traditional tune, taken way up tempo, and is reminiscent of SPEAK LOW. ROJO is a Latin piece with an excellent Hancock solo and a powerful Bob Cranshaw bass solo. This has to rank as one of Blue Notes most ambitious albums of the mid-60s, and one of Hutcherson's best. Nice!"