Aug 06 2021
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5
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.
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Jan 06 2022
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5
it's nice when my notes for a 1001 album can be easy like "it's head hunters"
It's head hunters.
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Aug 07 2021
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5
Absolutely classic and important album, to me at least. The grooves on this album are superb and arrangement is everything. Everyone was on
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Oct 11 2021
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5
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.
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Sep 20 2021
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1
Not really my thing. I don’t enjoy 10 minute long jazzy instrumentals. Didn’t mind the first couple minutes, but 40+ minutes, nope.
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Nov 01 2021
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5
5/5
Disagree and i'll fight you.
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Mar 25 2022
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5
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.
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Oct 12 2021
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2
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.
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Feb 08 2022
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5
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.
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Aug 16 2021
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5
The funkiest jazz, most 70s sounding jazz fusion album ever
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Jul 05 2021
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5
Groove-adelic. Loved the creativity and fun-kiness.
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Jan 09 2024
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4
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.
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Sep 13 2021
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5
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"
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May 25 2024
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3
Herbie can cook. But after awhile, like everything instrumental, it just becomes background.
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Nov 06 2021
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1
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.
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Apr 12 2024
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5
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.
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Mar 07 2022
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5
today i learn the toejam & earl soundtrack was inspired by this and i fucking love it. groove after groove. jam after jam. funky fresh.
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Jul 03 2021
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5
I liked it, cool music. Something completely new for me, but extremely enjoyable. Will listen to again.
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Jan 31 2024
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4
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.
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Sep 09 2021
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2
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.
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Apr 17 2024
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1
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.
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Jan 17 2025
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5
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.
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Nov 21 2024
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5
More stars than songs. Impressive.
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Jun 01 2022
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5
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
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Mar 09 2022
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5
I had no clue what I was walking into but was very happy with this music! Enjoyed it a lot!
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Mar 05 2022
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5
Actually amazing. Really cool funk/jazz combo. No words, just grooves.
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Feb 03 2022
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5
Till this day I only knew one song by Hancock and I regret not having listened to this album before.
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Feb 02 2022
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5
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
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Jan 21 2022
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5
Really enjoyable. Embarrassingly I only knew Rockit. This is really good
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Oct 05 2021
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5
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.
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Oct 05 2021
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5
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.
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Sep 21 2021
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5
I feel stupid that I know almost all of this music but didn’t know it was ALL Herbie Hancock. What a legend.
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Sep 16 2021
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5
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.
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Jun 30 2021
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5
Actually really liked this. funny only hearing an album with 4 songs. not seen very often anymore
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Apr 13 2024
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3
Pretty good, groundbreaking, but not my jam.
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Apr 19 2024
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2
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.
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Feb 12 2025
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5
Very funky and accessible jazz. Chameleon is an epic track, Watermelon Man is also fantastic and Sly is pretty great too. I didn't enjoy Vein Melter quite as much but I'm still giving this a 5 because the rest of the album already earned it.
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Feb 11 2025
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5
herbie is yet another big influence in my music taste, i love most every thing he's put out in his lifetime, and this iconic album is no exception. it's probably one of his best, if not the best.
very stylish and very funky, this album is essential to the world of jazz fusion, blending standard jazz rides and lines with VERY crazy keyboard solos and maybe the occasional african influence or two. there's probably studies about music that stimulates the brain in a positive way... this is certainly an example of that. only 4 large tracks on this one.
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Feb 10 2025
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5
i always put off hearing this album but i'm soooo glad i finally gave it a listen
Chameleon - 9/10 (a bit long but really good, was far from bored)
Watermelon Man - 100/10 (i have no words this shit was just pure 🔥🔥🔥from beginning to end)
Sly - 8.5/10 (another long but good one)
Vein Melter - 6.5/10 (real slow and chill, sounds like music to sneak around at night to)
this album really changed my perspective on jazz
4.8/5
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Feb 10 2025
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5
funky, groovy, amazing instrumentation and soloing, tight, amazing keyboard playing, incredible sax, nasty hooks on watermelon man, nice drumming to accommodate the mesmerising passages
10/10
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Feb 10 2025
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5
It was silly and I had a lot of fun
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Feb 10 2025
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5
I feel cooler for having listened to this
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Feb 10 2025
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5
Phenomenal stuff,
Edgy but not rough
Bassline that slaps
Under the smooth I collapse
A seminal album
from a seminal year
5 stars, no fear
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Feb 08 2025
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5
spacious
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Feb 08 2025
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5
Nioce
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Feb 07 2025
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5
Groovy and funky.
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Feb 07 2025
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5
2/6/25. Incredible jazz fusion by Herbie. Great musicianship and awesome sounds, all timer for me.
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Feb 04 2025
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5
This was dope, Watermelon Man & Chameleon are classics, but the following two tracks are solid too. All felt very different but felt tied in together.
It feels 70s with the clavinet, and it's definitely jazzy and funky. Drummer and bass were killing it, and keys/synth are the cherries on top. Plus there's just so many weird little accents throughout every song to keep it interesting.
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Feb 01 2025
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5
Goes down easy, vibes vibes vibes
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Jan 29 2025
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5
One of the best albums of all time.
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Jan 26 2025
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5
It would be a classic with just Chameleon and Watermelon Man. The fact that the other half is here and is really good too is just icing on the cake. The snare that drives the lumbering Vein Melter caught my attention so much I had to play it again to listen to the other instruments.
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Jan 24 2025
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5
4 songs of pure stank. Meant to be played loud!
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Jan 24 2025
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5
Would trip to this great jazz vibes 10/10
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Jan 22 2025
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5
This album is definitely a “where have you been all my life” album. It’s a psychedelic funk album…. What’s more to say? It’s fucking awesome and your wasting time by not listening to it right now!
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Jan 21 2025
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5
This is one of my top 20 favorite albums of all time. Totally deserves a spot on this list
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Jan 20 2025
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5
Diabolically groovy. Big 4.5
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Jan 20 2025
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5
What a game changer! The premier jazz-rock-funk album. This is where it all started.
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Jan 17 2025
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5
An all time classic, absolutely a tent pole of jazz funk fusion.
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Jan 17 2025
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5
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.
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Jan 17 2025
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5
short track list, long trip, very fun journey
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Jan 17 2025
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5
"It was a stone groove, my man"
Standouts: The 15min-long "Chameleon" and "Watermelon Man"
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Jan 17 2025
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5
People used to dance to jazz. At the start of the twentieth century the nascent genre was born, and by the 1930s jazz was dominating airwaves and dance floors during the swing era, so called for the music’s rhythmic trait and the dance style it inspired. Jazz abruptly shifted out of the spotlight as popular music moved on to other budding genres including R&B and rock, and it was around this time that jazz permanently shifted its gaze inward, becoming less focused on inspiring corporeal reactions from its listeners on a dance floor and instead setting its sights on cerebral pursuits including technical expertise, experimentation, and improvisational prowess, making the music more complex and intentionally unpredictable — ultimately making it less approachable as it aged.
By the early 70s Herbie Hancock was over a decade into his career, and he was determined to return jazz to the dance floor. During those first ten years Herbie made significant contributions to the growing catalog of jazz standards, scored, conducted, and performed three major motion picture soundtracks, and spent years as an integral member in a few of Miles Davis’ consequential bands of the late 60s. But the headier territory jazz was entrenched in frustrated Herbie. The three albums leading up to Head Hunters made with his Mwandishi band from ‘70-‘73 were arguably in this vein: while the music of that period was the most visceral and raw of his career (Sextant is another classic album of his), and the virtuosity and synchronicity of the band was undeniably on display during live shows at the time — these albums built on the spaced-out fusion aesthetic that bloomed after Miles Davis’ landmark fusion records Bitches Brew (1970) and In A Silent Way (1969), the latter of which featured Herbie on the Fender Rhodes. Jazz had become pretentiously self-indulgent during fusion’s rise, and was in desperate need of a fresh approach.
The late 60s/early 70s was a revolutionary time for most musical genres. Herbie was a fan of all kinds of music, and Sly & The Family Stone was a particularly favorite band of his. Sly’s psychedelic spin on James Brown’s funk expanded that genre, and Herbie wondered whether he could intertwine jazz and funk in a similar fashion — and by doing so bring jazz back into the popular music fold, something young hip folks put on at parties and danced to, and that DJs played on popular radio.
And so Herbie conceived an approach and assembled a band, the Headhunters. Their eponymous debut record changed jazz forever. It reached No. 13 on the Billboard charts and eventually went platinum, and it is the second-best selling jazz record of all time — it’s also worth noting that Herbie and Miles hold 5 places on that top 10 best seller list.
The forty minute, four-track Head Hunters is stylistically and technically impressive, bursting with joyful funky energy every second of its run time. Every member of the Headhunters is firing on all cylinders, all aces on their respective instruments. The album is dominated by the rhythm section, and the grooves that come out of their collective pocket are so infectious. The record is propelled by Harvey Mason’s incredibly funky patterns. James Brown’s drummers Clyde Stubbeldield and John Starks are rightfully considered the greatest funk drummers of all time, but had Mason dedicated to playing how he did on this record his whole career he would’ve easily snatched that title from their deserving, time-keeping heads. Most of the record Mason is restrained, deceptively simple in his execution, but firmly locked into patterns that are so pleasantly off beat, a skill he honed playing a wide array of genres as one of the standout session drummers in the entire music business who backed countless jazz and rock stars during that era. With support from Paul Jackson on bass and Bill Summers on percussion (and famously on half-full beer bottle for the whistling riff that opens ‘Watermelon Man’), the rhythm section was firmly rooted in place allowing Hancock to express his unique sense of modalities and melodies using an assortment of electronic keys and synths.
Head Hunters overachieved its aims, energizing a genre that had grown stuffy and intellectual, and propelling him even further ahead of his peers; Herbie was a jazz virtuoso with enough accolades to fill multiple careers at the time this album was released, and Head Hunters turned him into a pop star. Herbie remained fixed on that upward trajectory and continued to merge jazz with popular music trends decade after decade, consistently chipping away at the exterior of jazz music until a new form is born.
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Jan 16 2025
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5
A true funk masterpiece!
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Jan 11 2025
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5
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.
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Jan 08 2025
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5
So good. a jazz-funk masterpiece and those synth bass lines just heralded a new era.
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Jan 08 2025
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5
In my opinion not one of the greatest albums of Hancock but still great music.
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Jan 06 2025
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5
This is the good stuff.
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Jan 01 2025
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5
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.
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Dec 31 2024
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5
Love me some Herbie Hancock. Used to listen to this album regularly in college. 30 years later, it still holds up.
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Dec 31 2024
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5
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.
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Dec 27 2024
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5
Amazing new find here! What a great mix of funk and jazz that never fails to be entertaining and exciting.
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Dec 24 2024
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5
Jazzy, funky, synthy and all that good stuff!
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Dec 22 2024
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5
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.
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Dec 21 2024
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5
As smooth as it gets
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Dec 20 2024
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5
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.
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Dec 17 2024
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5
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.
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Dec 16 2024
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5
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.
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Dec 12 2024
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5
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.
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Dec 11 2024
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5
Amazing album. Tons of fun sounds and experiential instruments. Think blowing into a coke bottle
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Dec 10 2024
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5
Absolutely STUNNING display of Jazz/Funk fusion. Incredible album straight through.
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Dec 07 2024
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5
An amazing jazz funk record.
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Dec 04 2024
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5
Jazz turned hip-hop classic
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Dec 03 2024
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5
Indomitable, endless grooves. Wanna hear more of what Bill Summers was theorizing while recording his grace notes
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Dec 03 2024
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5
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.
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Nov 30 2024
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5
Good vibes
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Nov 19 2024
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5
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
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Nov 18 2024
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5
Phenomenal. Chameleon and Watermelon Man make it 5 stars by themselves.
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Nov 18 2024
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5
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.
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Nov 18 2024
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5
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. “
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Nov 18 2024
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5
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
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Nov 18 2024
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5
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.
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Nov 16 2024
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5
Expertly crafted songs that take you on a musical journey.
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Nov 13 2024
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5
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.
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Nov 12 2024
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5
5/5
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Nov 12 2024
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5
Just pure genius
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Nov 09 2024
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5
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
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Nov 02 2024
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5
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.
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Oct 26 2024
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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
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Oct 26 2024
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5
Very jazzy. Very Enjoyable. A good addition
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Oct 25 2024
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5
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?
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