1963 · Album
My Point of View
Recorded 1963 · Blue Note Records · Produced by Not specified in verified sources
Hancock's Second Statement, Full Band in Focus
A working band playing real compositions with room to breathe and push back against each other.
My Point of View is Herbie Hancock's second album, and it's the first time you hear him leading a real ensemble rather than fitting into someone else's band. The session brought together Donald Byrd on trumpet, Grachan Moncur III on trombone, Hank Mobley on tenor saxophone, Grant Green on guitar, Chuck Israels on bass, and Tony Williams on drums—a full front line and a rhythm section with the chops to push back. This wasn't a pickup date; these were working musicians who knew how to listen to each other.
The album lives in a smart middle ground. Hancock's writing is direct and melodic without being simple—pieces like the title track and "Maiden Voyage" give soloists something to grab onto without spelling everything out. Mobley and Byrd trade phrases with real conversational ease, and Moncur brings a dark, thoughtful voice that keeps things from sliding into straight bebop. Green's guitar doesn't dominate; it colors the harmonies and occasionally pushes the rhythm section from underneath. What matters is that nobody here sounds like they're playing for history. They sound like they're playing a gig.
It's not Hancock at his peak—that comes later, in a different direction entirely. But it's the sound of a young bandleader figuring out what he wants to say and finding musicians who can say it with him. Skip the later standards and concept records if you want to hear where his writing and leadership actually began.
Who's playing
Chuck Israelsbass
Herbie Hancockpiano
Grant Greenguitar
Hank Mobleytenor saxophone
Donald Byrdtrumpet
Grachan Moncur IIItrombone
Tony Williamsdrums
Where next?
The musicians on this record
The Latin Bit 1963
Grant Green
plays guitar here
plays guitar here
Byrd in Flight 1960
Donald Byrd
plays trumpet here
plays trumpet here
Soul Station 1960
Hank Mobley
plays tenor saxophone here
plays tenor saxophone here
The Joy of Flying 1965
Tony Williams
plays drums (drum set) here
plays drums (drum set) here
