Herbie Hancock best recordings

You're right Viridian my errrrorrr :)

My apoligies, I mean Hancock's classic albums on the Blue Note label, engineered by Rudy Van Gelder.

These are straight ahead jazz as opposed to the Funk that came later with his group the Headhunters or the rather stylized music of more recent times.

I think that "The River" may be just what you are looking for. Wayne Shorter's sax work is fantastic on this one as well. But take heed, this is a vocal album with Norah Jones, Corrine Bailey Rae, and others. So if you avoid vocal music this one may not be for you. There are some utube videos from the album that are excellent one with the fantastic enfent terible bass wizard Tal Wilkenfeld that will part your hair.

****Educate me on the topic of Herbie if you feel so inclined****

Well, one of the few artists who merits owning every single recording that he has done. Possible to document the evolution of jazz and all it's peripheral influences on other genres from the '60s to the present. One could argue about stylistic issues, but not a single bad recording that I can think of in his discography.

****I'm looking for a somewhat wide soundstage in a fairly intimate live setting****

Easy! Not sure what you consider intimate, but for a live recording it's got to be "V.S.O.P." Three different periods and bands in his stylistic evolution are represented; but, the band that is essentially Miles' Quintet (with Freddie Hubbard "as Miles") that is the highlight. Great record.

If owning all of his records is not an option, ones that I would definitely make sure I have:

As a leader:

"Maiden Voyage", "Speak Like A Child", "Head Hunters", "Gershwin's
World"

As sideman:

Anything with Miles
Wayne Shorter "Speak No Evil", "Adam's Apple", "Native Dancer"
Hank Mobley "The Turnaround"
Milton Nascimento "Milton's"
Joni Mitchell "Mingus"
Jack DeJohnette "Parallel Realities"
Michael Brecker "Pilgrimage"

All these suggestions kick butt. Outstanding suggestions all. And Viridian, I love vocals and in particuar Norah's.

Thank You!
John

The River is a wonderful album. I'm not a big fan of Norah Jones. But her contributions here are fantastic. You won't regret it.