On his third Blue Note album in a year, Wayne Shorter shifted to a new lineup—keeping Elvin Jones but adding Miles Davis Quintet members Herbie Hancock and Ron Carter, plus Freddie Hubbard—showing his individuality beyond the “Coltrane disciple” label. Speak No Evil blends hard bop, modalism, and avant-garde touches, with highlights like the bluesy, harmonically rich “Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum,” the chromatic title track, and the graceful ballad “Wild Flower,” all showcasing Shorter’s unique voice as both composer and saxophonist.
