V.S.O.P. Herbie Hancock Quartet Wynton Marsalis, Ron Carter, Tony Williams Herbie Hancock/CA, USA 1981

In particular, the ultimate rhythm section that shines brightly in the history of jazz – Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams, each of whom is a major popular and talented figure in their own country – possesses an unimaginable magic the moment these three come together; they not only have great technique, but also a clever and intellectual sensibility that does not rely solely on it, and they also possess an aggressive and explosive energy, a rare presence that we will never see before, let alone again since. Unfortunately, this work does not include Miles Davis, the boss of the magicians, or Wayne Shorter, one of the four heavenly kings, but it does include Wynton Marsalis, who was the center of attention in the jazz messengers at the time and was said to be the second coming of Clifford Brown, in his prime. This is a superb high-quality recording of the stage one month before the nostalgic Live Under the Sky, a rare quartet formation of Herbie, Ron, Tony, and Wynton Marsalis, which was performed in a rare quartet formation! Unfortunately, this work does not include Miles Davis, the boss of the magicians, or Wayne Shorter, one of the four heavenly kings, but it does include Wynton Marsalis, who was the center of attention in the jazz messengers at the time and was said to be the second coming of Clifford Brown, in his prime. Still, Wynton’s impressive one-horn playing throughout the entire piece, including “The Sorcerer” and “Nefertiti,” is as if to say that it is his time now!