At the time of its release, Hancock remarked that he felt closer to his "real self" through this music than on any previous recording. Musical Direction and Personnel
: A multi-sectioned piece inspired by Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring .
: Hubert Laws (flute), Jerome Richardson (bass clarinet/flute), Tony Studd and Jack Jeffers (bass trombone), Romeo Penque (bass clarinet). Track Listing Herbie Hancock - The Prisoner (1969, 1995, Blue...
: A tribute to Dr. King’s most famous speech, featuring a modal structure and airy melodies.
: A hopeful conclusion to the original LP. Notable Reissues At the time of its release, Hancock remarked
: Composed by Buster Williams, representing the duality of "fire" (violence/oppression) and "water" (the calming presence of Dr. King).
The album is a poignant social concept piece dedicated to the memory of , who was assassinated just a year prior to the recording. Hancock used the metaphor of "the prisoner" to express the long-standing social and psychological imprisonment of Black people in America. Track Listing : A tribute to Dr
The album has seen several high-quality reissues that cater to both digital and analog collectors: