Head Hunters

On repeat during high school and college years. Perhaps the most accessible jazz album of all time for those more inclined towards rock music. So solid and catchy. Dictionary definition of a groove from start to finish. Might be the funkiest thing I've ever heard.

it's nice when my notes for a 1001 album can be easy like "it's head hunters" It's head hunters.

Absolutely classic and important album, to me at least. The grooves on this album are superb and arrangement is everything. Everyone was on

I'm glad this album made one misstep so I don't have to give it a 5-star rating. If you reverse the order of "Sly" and "Vein Melter". As it is, it is only a 4.95-star album. Note: I rounded up.

Not really my thing. I don’t enjoy 10 minute long jazzy instrumentals. Didn’t mind the first couple minutes, but 40+ minutes, nope.

5/5 Disagree and i'll fight you.

It feels almost inappropriate to review a Herbie Hancock LP. Perhaps he’s beyond the scope of critique and has ventured into that stratosphere of artists that simply need to be enjoyed, adored even. I was recently driving on my way to a business meeting, listening to KUVO (89.3 MHZ), Denver’s public radio jazz station, and heard a live cut that I immediately recognized as trumpeter, Miles Davis. It was from his 1964 concert at NYC’s Philharmonic Hall, a fundraiser (the musicians voluntarily played for free) for the Voter Education Project to register black voters in Louisiana and Mississippi. Of course, Miles Davis was his usual bad ass self, as were the rest of the players. When it came time for the pianist to solo, I almost had to pull my car over and stop. It truly took my breath away, one of the fastest piano improvisations I’ve ever heard. It was Herbie Hancock. So, I had high expectations for 'Head Hunters.' There are only four songs on this LP, predominately of the jazz/rock fusion genre, which is not something I typically enjoy. I lean more towards the ‘free’ jazz of folks like saxophonists John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman, or pianists Bill Evans and Sun Ra, cats like that. So, when ‘Chameleon’ began, this LP’s opener, with that oh so 70’s clavinet sound, some spacey synth work and such (by the way, at about the seven minute mark during one such synth solo, Hancock shifts up into a whole other key just for a moment while the band remains where they are, creating an incredible auditory experience), I was diggin’ it enough, appreciating the smooth textures; but, I wasn’t exactly floored. Hancock continued with some great Fender Rhodes electronic piano soloing for a while accompanied by a quick and funky drum and bass groove, and then layered on a lovely string synth arrangement. It gave me the impression of flying amidst the clouds. It was terrific, don’t get me wrong. But again, the jazz/rock fusion is not my thing. I recognized the second track, ‘Watermelon Man,’ and I bet a lot of folks who never listen to jazz will too. I’m guessing its been used in movie soundtracks or commercial ads, etc. Regardless, it was more of the same, with the addition of a cool little flute intro by Bennie Maupin, and then concluding the last minute or so with a nice bit of cross syncopation between flute and bass, the drums all the while keeping a steady beat. OK, that was cool, too. Maupin’s sax playing, though, was sounding a little pedestrian. And as I’ve no doubt been spoiled by the extraordinary talent of John Coltrane, I was prepared to give the LP three, maybe four stars and call it a day. Until the third track, ‘Sly.’ Beginning with a soft, mellow vibe (nice congas in the background), out of the blue about two minutes in, Hancock just stopped the whole thing down, then did this wild soaring thing on the synth, at which time the tempo took flight as well. For the next 7-8 minutes, the band was ‘going off the rails on a crazy train,’ in the words of vocalist Ozzie Osborn, but the train was free jazz rather than metal. And what a ride it was! It was almost as if the band said, ‘Allright, you’ve heard us just relaxing into the music, offering you our smooth jazz. But lest you think we’ve forgotten how to play hard core, buckle up brothers and sisters.’ Bennie Maupin lifted his sax to new heights, ala Coltrane. Then at the approximately five and a half minute mark, Hancock proceeded to set fire to the keys on his electric piano, like that live recording with Miles Davis I heard while driving. Now this was the shit! Man, by the time drummer Harvey Mason slowed back down to the original tempo to conclude the tune, I had to get out of my chair to go fetch my head which had tumbled off my neck at some point and rolled down the hall. I needed the final track at this point-‘Vein Melter’- the perfect way to end the LP, which began with a simple kick drum beat, and slowly adding a wa-wa bass, melancholy sax, and a vibrating electric piano, along with a lot of quirky synth sound effects throughout. Oh, and about two minutes in, some ethereal synth strings topping the whole thing like whipped cream on a sundae. This one begs for headphones and good bong hit, if you’re hip. In retrospect, I now understand and enjoy the first two jazz/rock fusion numbers, and their appropriate placement to the hard Be Boppin’ of ‘Sly,’ only to then finish with a great mellow closer. Like a musical stew, beginning with the prep work of chopping the vegetables and meat (‘Chameleon’), and then moving on to the saute stage (‘Watermelon Man’) caramelizing the ingredients, before the hard fucking boil of ‘Sly,’ and then letting the whole thing simmer for a while with ‘Vein Melter.’ The musical aroma filled the joint, and I wanted seconds, thirds. After it cooled, I sealed it all up in a Tupperware container and put it in the fridge for another helping tomorrow. This, my friends, is some good eatin’ for your ears. And I guarantee Head Hunters will fill ‘em right up. But whatever you do, don’t snack on any junk (Kenny G?) before this entree. Enter into this listen good and hungry. ‘Cause food/music always tastes best when you’re good and hungry.

I feel like one of these songs was definitely background music for one of those transitional Sesame Street sketches showing People in Their Everyday Lives.

An unconventional and accessible display of performing jazz masterfully despite nothing like this ever being done before. "Chameleon" is characterized by a recognizable funky bass line, electrifying piano and synths that come in and out at the forefront, and a groovy Miami-vibe half way in before slowly returning to the formula. "Watermelon Man" is an even stranger track, taking inspiration from African music with the beer blowing, and a much sexier, harder funk sound reminiscent of James Brown. There's so much going on that there's always something to idolize upon each listen. Has my favorite sax... there's even a segment around the 4-5 minute mark where I hear two saxes. "Sly" is the most colorful track for sure, undergoing a new transformation every couple minutes or so. It's crazy this is an album where people are calling THIS the weak track. Least iconic, yes, but impressively composed with attention made to each second. Starts and ends with a sexy spy theme, interluded with how fast can you keep up. "Vein Melter" is a slow, mellow, yet atmospheric closer to leave the audience satisfied after the insane displays shown previously. Feels a little classical here and there.

The funkiest jazz, most 70s sounding jazz fusion album ever

Groove-adelic. Loved the creativity and fun-kiness.

An insane, electrifying album from front to back. Incredible performances, engaging music. Can't speak any more highly of this one. Favorite tracks: "Chameleon", "Watermelon Man"

had a great time listening / weird-dancing to Watermelon Man with the girls before school. It starts out so goofy and strange, they were mesmerized… but then the bass and drums kick in and all of a sudden it’s a jam. i can absolutely hear HHs influence on modern hip-hop.

Herbie can cook. But after awhile, like everything instrumental, it just becomes background.

Herbie Hancock, Matt's more accessible, more likeable, older brother. He paints a glowing rainbow of joy upon the faces of everyone who meets him. Everyone apart from me. Colour my life with the chaos of trouble, I just can't stand the man! His music SUCKS! He's a greasy weasel, a gym instructor, a nuclear rocket, a baseball bat, a fat controller, a modest mouse, a toilet brush, the misadventures of Romesh Ranganation, a stain upon a front tooth, a garden gnome, a rainy afternoon, a cunt.

Herbie and his hunters are after your head, and once they find it, they’re going to fill that cranium with the funkiest, grooviest, sweetest cerebral candy your mind’s ever tasted.

I liked it, cool music. Something completely new for me, but extremely enjoyable. Will listen to again.

Very funky. Loved this thought it was great, very different from pretty much anything else we've had so far. It was different but not in an experimental way. Loved the instruments, really well done. Even though the songs were long they didn't drag (take notes Bob Dylan). Loved this.

Starts exciting, but becomes a bit repetitive and uninspired. very nice bits but overall a bit too long. Sometimes you wonder if you did not put the same song on repeat.

I was excited when I first started this record playing, because I think there should be more instrumental music and so often good music is spoiled when an artist opens their mouth. However, my excitement was quickly turned into irritation by all the extra noises that were repeated throughout the album.

More stars than songs. Impressive.

It’s a five after that first bass line. This album really taught me that dissonance in jazz isn’t just meant to be pretentious and gatekeepy. The funk can’t be contained

I had no clue what I was walking into but was very happy with this music! Enjoyed it a lot!

today i learn the toejam & earl soundtrack was inspired by this and i fucking love it. groove after groove. jam after jam. funky fresh.

Actually amazing. Really cool funk/jazz combo. No words, just grooves.

Till this day I only knew one song by Hancock and I regret not having listened to this album before.

huh never ever would have listened to this of my own volition, so this is v interesante, no lyrics, just like...JAZZ and SYNTH its wonderful

Really enjoyable. Embarrassingly I only knew Rockit. This is really good

I hate that jazz stuff.....jeeesus a 13 minute track.......oh that is good, that was never 13 minutes, what's next oh more YES but it's not really jazz.

Fantastic album. Herbie Hancock is a fusion pioneer and this album is an excellent yet accessible foray into jazz funk fusion. The songs are very well constructed and build gradually and naturally. The musicianship is top notch of course and driven by Hancock’s playing of the Fender Rhodes electric piano. The improv breaks are impressive as well. This album is an absolute genre bending classic.

I feel stupid that I know almost all of this music but didn’t know it was ALL Herbie Hancock. What a legend.

Amazing groove. Instrumental jazz is not usually my thing but I may have to buy this on vinyl. Really cool. Even the synth is cool.

Actually really liked this. funny only hearing an album with 4 songs. not seen very often anymore

Pretty good, groundbreaking, but not my jam.

01) Chameleon - 6,0 02) Watermelon Man - 6,5 03) Sly - 4,0 04) Vein Melter - 5,5 TOTAL: 5,50 (55/100) How refreshing is to see 4 songs on the album after the double album yesterday... On the other hand, it's jazz. Maybe funk can save it. Let's see... aaaand it can't. I still hate jazz.

An all time classic, absolutely a tent pole of jazz funk fusion.

Desert island selection. One of those records where every note feels celestially preordained. Herbie Hancock is an American treasure, though people like me who first encountered him when "Rockit" became a hit may understandably require some convincing (BTW that has aged better than you might have guessed). The problem with records like this is what they spawned in terms of horribly inferior imitators. Definitely should have come with a DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME warning label for other musicians who picked it up.

So happy to have gotten this today--the perfect antidote to the Morrissey pick earlier. I love how laid back this album is with the funk touches keeping it from being too cool. Every musician shines unobtrusively yet brilliantly.

"It was a stone groove, my man" Standouts: The 15min-long "Chameleon" and "Watermelon Man"

A true funk masterpiece!

Got about 5 seconds into Chameleon and instantly knew it was gonna be a banger. I’m really surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. Album cover is cool.

In my opinion not one of the greatest albums of Hancock but still great music.

This is the good stuff.

Synth funk with jazz and tribal roots? More please. This presented unexpected vibes as I had only heard of this artist and never took the plunge until the suggestion. The first track was worth the distraction from a bisy day. Now, I will have to explore this groups other works. The 2nd track had a tribal start that shifted into funk, then to jazz and the progressions were natural and not forced. Good variety in the solos. These were all saved for future plays on car rides.

Love me some Herbie Hancock. Used to listen to this album regularly in college. 30 years later, it still holds up.

I like the album cover of this one. By the artist name, I could imagine that Buster would like this album. Amazing album. very jammy. Must be amazing to see live.

Amazing new find here! What a great mix of funk and jazz that never fails to be entertaining and exciting.

Jazzy, funky, synthy and all that good stuff!

Coincidentally heard this like 2 days ago lmao. Loved this, love the Herbie Hancock sound. You’d be hard pressed to find a Herbie Hancock album or, hell, a song I won’t like.

As smooth as it gets

This album, and I'd say Herbie Hancock in general, is one of the few that's mastered the art of being really really cool. The music here resonates with the listener not on a spiritual, emotional, or even visceral level - but on a level that's very subdued, not in plain sight but still strongly present...a "bass" level. Each percussive element, drum fill, key hit, bassline, and sax note is sequenced meticulously to ensure that these relentless grooves can go, at times, completely off the rails. This aspect can lead to something undeniably tight and groovy like on the faster vicious saxophone and key solo passages of 'Sly'. Or it can lead to something satisfying like that cute refrain on 'Watermelon Man' that uses space effectively enough to keep the listener slightly disoriented, constantly guessing, but hooked all the same. That key hit acting as an almost starters-pistol for this one particular passage is great... In general, I'd say 'Watermelon Man' is my favorite track here - it's just such an iconic piece of jazz, especially given its bottle flute opening. 'Chameleon' is another song that's just cool - an iconic and funky bassline is at the core of this one, and while it stays in that very repetitive place for a good chunk of the song, it eventually evolves into something unrecognizable with those keys and synth, becoming warmer and more elegant as the track blooms and opens up. Elegance is also the name of the game on the closer 'Vein Melter', especially in those closing minutes. It's easily the least "aggressive" song here and serves to send off an otherwise explosive album. Very few albums land in this unique space between electronic, jazz, and funk music. Because of that, I'd argue that this album lacks a strong "musical" identity, at least in the traditional sense...that's to say it's very eclectic in its styles and transitions. But there's a kick here, one you get from very few albums, a sense of satisfaction that's difficult to pin down, but is made clear as day when actually listening.

Now here's something excellent to start a week out with. No issues with this one, it's been a staple in my collection since college. Love the funk bass and drums mixed in with that early 70's electric jazz.

Now this is what I signed up for. I'd only known Herbie Hancock by name but never listened to his stuff. This is excellent. Funky instrumental jazz that just grooves the whole time. Experimental yet accessible. Now I need to listen to his earlier stuff.

Es el primer álbum de jazz que me salta, aunque no es jazz tan puro, combina muchos elementos de otros géneros y sonidos sintéticos, generados por computadora. A veces suena algo más Weather Report, a veces algo más tradicional mente jazz (como un swing) aunque siempre Hancock produce los temas agregando algunos sonidos muy particulares, en ese aspecto es bastante particular y algo curioso es que las canciones aunque duren 10 minutos tienen una novedad que hacen que siempre quieras escucharlas atentamente, en eso creo que se trata de una GENIALIDAD. A veces hasta incluso suena algo ambient el disco, es brutal.

Amazing album. Tons of fun sounds and experiential instruments. Think blowing into a coke bottle

Absolutely STUNNING display of Jazz/Funk fusion. Incredible album straight through.

An amazing jazz funk record.

Jazz turned hip-hop classic

Indomitable, endless grooves. Wanna hear more of what Bill Summers was theorizing while recording his grace notes

Coincidently, the weekend before this came up on my list I was having a party and put on this record. Halfway into Chameleon a friend said, "can you turn this off? It's way too anxious." Fuck her. I love this shit.

Good vibes

Very special album. Holds a special place in my jazzy funky heart. I will give it 5. In my opinion it’s really that important. I even own it on the Cd

Phenomenal. Chameleon and Watermelon Man make it 5 stars by themselves.

This is a classic. Watermelon Man blew my mind when i first heard it and remains one of my favorites. Chameleon is closely behind. Very approachable Jazz and for someone who was/is a Jazz novice that loves funk I really appreciated this. This time through I did find aspects of it boring, but I think thats because I'm maybe less of a jazz novice now? Or maybe I've just heard it too many times. Either way, classic album 5 stars.

Watermelon man is one of my favorite grooves of all time. Many of the albums we’ve listened to are so desperately trying to sound avante-garde, they forget you actually have to sound good too for your inventiveness to matter. Herbie does this and makes it feel effortless. One of my favorite quotes about art applies: “talent hits a target no one else can hit. Genius hits a target no one else can see. “

Such a bangin jazz fusion experience. What I really forgot about was how awesome Sly (named after Sly and The Family Stone, Sly) is. Super inventive and doesnt feel old. 4 stars for my taste, 5 star jazz fusion experience

I started learning and became obsessed with guitar in fifth grade. My Catholic grade school didn’t have a jazz band, but we were a few blocks from the public middle school, and my dad was friendly with their band director, Mr O, who let me “audition” for and join the band in 7th grade. A few mornings a week, my dad would drop me at the public school at 7am, and after practice I would lug my guitar to my school down the street - even in the Iowa winters. I didn’t really know much about jazz at the time - still know only a drop in the bucket - but Mr O was this super passionate, light hearted, and sincere guy who made everyone want to learn and get better. He would stay after school on Fridays to host bonus jam sessions with a smaller group and booked us monthly gigs at the local wine/pizza bar to play to a crowd of slightly drunk parents and their friends. Mr O had a way of making very awkward middle schoolers feel cool and important. After my “audition” he sent me home with a CD I had to listen to to get started with jazz/funk - that album?Drops of Jupiter by Train.

Expertly crafted songs that take you on a musical journey.

There was a skate video back in the day called 'Mouse', it had the best music on it. It opened my eyes to a lot of new music including this. Loved this album ever since discovering it back then.

5/5

Just pure genius

The essential jazz fusion album. Groovy as hell and a great gateway into the genre but also has some proper weird moments like the squealing synth solo in Chameleon

Now this is the kind of music I'm looking for! I don't want another hundred British new wave and electronica albums, I want stuff like this! Despite not having any words, this album speaks to me. Head Hunters is amazing. Of course, I can't praise the writing or singing since those things don't exist in this album, so all I have to praise is the instrumental sound. Fortunately, I love the sound of this album. The blend of jazz and funk (junk, if you will) is wonderful. Some of these songs are pretty long, but they never drag. Speaking of songs, there's only 4 of them and they're all great. "Chameleon" is an excellent opener. It's the album's longest song, but it absolutely warrants the 16 minutes of runtime. "Watermelon Man" has this really unique sound that I absolutely love. "Sly" is just crazy in the best way possible. Finally, "Vein Melter" is a solid closer. It's pretty chill and I really like it, even if it is probably the weakest song on the album. Overall, this album's great. I will now eagerly wait for more albums like this. If only this website could give me some Miles Davis soon. I've heard his stuff is kind of similar to this. If so, I'm in for a treat with those. For now, Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock gets a light 5/5.

This is the first album I listened to after a long break. Love the breakneck jazzy paste and bizareness of it, especially how it doesnt overstay its welcome

Very jazzy. Very Enjoyable. A good addition

Le super album trop groovy pour que tu le touche juste une fois. Trop de bombe pour un et un plus deux tu n'auras, capiche?

a very familiar listen for me at this point! this album was one of a few that provided me a "way in" when I was first trying to get familiar with the history of jazz. I was an alt-rock and prog kid first, and I was about 4-5 years into my journey as a saxophonist, so at first I gravitated towards various flavors of fusion. fusion often has one foot in the world of rock music, but the universe of funk music presented here by Herbie and His Hunters was something alien for me at the time. having listened to this album dozens of times for over a decade, I've come to really appreciate the overall mood it places me in. it really feels like funk music that got inflicted with a heavy dose of jazz, rather than the other way around. the pockets from Hancock's rhythm section (Paul Jackson, Harvey Mason & Bill Summers) run incredibly deep; they're just as capable of creating that signature hypnosis-through-repetition effect of the best funk (the opening few minutes of "Chameleon" being the best example) as they are at providing a playground for Hancock and Bennie Maupin to weave some incredible jazz yarns (Maupin's soprano solo on "Sly" is easily the highlight of the whole record for me). the lack of a guitar (other than the bass guitar, I mean) definitely gives the timbre of this album a kind of dryness that really works in its favor. the arrangement of "Watermelon Man" here may be the definitive version of the song; the bridge on Ab7 is a welcome addition that I miss when I play the Takin' Off version on jam sessions (ditto for the entire form of "Chameleon" with all the different bridge sections and solo vamps!). "Vein Melter" also grows on me a little more each time I listen; the synth strings on that track, and throughout the album, are the one part I would say hasn't aged as well as the rest. on the whole I was shocked at how contemporary this album still sounds in many respects, especially "Vein Melter", which stands out as a precursor to the ground that experimental groups like The Necks would later break. I guess I'm just a sucker for ambient, extended harmonies over a slow drum pattern! an album I can listen to at any time, in any place, and guarantee myself a good 42 minutes. strong 9/10.

First song instantly put a smile on my face with the funky intro lick

Watermelon man yes !!!

Really great to listen to

Oh man, I fucking love Head Hunters. First heard Watermelon Man as an example of poly-rhythm in a History of Music class I took in college, and it is one of a few songs that I immediately fell in love with. Off to a funky start on Chameleon with the plonky synthesized bass line. Layers of pleasure a built on top of that simple line and tight-shifting drum beat holding it all together. The groove established around the 8:30 point with the key soloing is just fantastic. The whole introduction to Watermelon Man is incredibly gratifying. When the drum and bass enter the equation everything just clicks. The rest of the song is a certified head-bobber. Thick globs of bass with soulful sax and keys with some sex guitar licks floating around in the background. Honestly, what's not to love? Sly taps into a Shaft like funky shuffle. Love everything here 5/5

Absolutely phenomenal album plated five times today.

He's jammin pretty hard. The album cover is also super cool. Will I listen to again: 100%

What can I say. My dad was a musician so we had jazz, classical and world music on in the kitchen pretty much every day. I deeply adore Herbie Hancock, and this album is spectacular. My soul feels nourished, touched and tingled in all the right ways.

Super funky and innovative. Really surprised me in a good way.

Gorgeous record. Have loved Chameleon for years anyway, but the whole thing is just slick and cool AF.

I love funk, and I'm instantly into this. 5* Watermelon man sounded familiar but I can't place it.

LOOOOVEEEEEEEEEE

Can’t hold no grove if you ain’t got a pocket … and this album is a pouch! Hope you had lots of driving to do today

Chad

Gran disco. El track 3, “Sly”, me parece absolutamente genial. Perfecto para una noche de chill y copas.

Blew me away. Gonna get it on vinyl!

I've never listened to this album before, but had a feeling that I was going to love it. This immediately made my morning better - fantastic.

Funk from the future beamed into the past.

it should not have taken me this long to listen to this album. incredibly good, incredibly important - classic 5 star material

Phenomenal instrumentals. I wish more music like this existed.

Great jazz album

Very funky good stuff. Good working music. Should try to listen while not working too

This was a much needed respite after a particularly brutal week of Bruce Sprinsteen, Syd Barrett, Culture Club and Kid Rock. Sometimes the generator taketh, but today it giveth.

This is quite easily one of the best albums ever made by anyone