INVENTIONS AND DIMENSIONS [AKA: SUCCOTASH]

This early Hancock album is great legacy from his pre-fusion period. Not his best work for sure, but still very good elegant post-bop work. You can hear perfectly Hancock's musicianship on acoustic piano, and the music is great.

Very atmospheric, a bit melancholic, down tempo, it is one great jazz coming from mid 60-s. And it's interesting - it doesn't sound date even now. Yes, it sounds as classic music of its time, but never as museum's example.

Acoustic piano and rhythm section - it's all what great musicians need to play such a nice music! Possibly it's a bit nostalgic feeling, but listening to that album I just remember the times, when albums were shorter, contained less compositions, but each composition was small piece of art.

This album is full of such atmosphere. For sure, it still 1964 and there are not even traces of jazz fusion, so if you aren't jazz fan, this album possibly isn't for you. But if you are not only fusion lover, but like to hear what was before (and how great it was!), this album is one of good choices.

And you will hear how great Hancock sounded in his young years, still playing piano.