Head Hunters

Interesting.

More accessible than expected. Maybe its my limited knowledge, but I get strong Bitches Brew vibes.

Great.

Funky as shit

This was pretty alright!! Didn’t care for Sly as much as the other tracks. Particularly dug Chameleon and the smooth yet sort of funky vibes on Vein Melter.

Groovy. Wish this album was longer than 4 songs.

SOOOOO FUNKY

I was looking at my rankings (over 500 now!) and saw that my average ranking was 3.6. I thought ‘maybe I should be more critical and rank things lower’ and then this album came up and I was like ‘nope’. Just the best jazz-funk, ever. I’ve loved this album since I was 13yo.

I still don’t like jazz and didn’t really have any strong feelings about this. I like the cover though.

Was hoping for the earlier sounds from his career, but I wasn't disappointed. It's good to vibe to while working.

This is what I'm talking about. An interesting album that I have never heard of and probably not experience without this list. The funk and jazz were fun and cool and all that. but... I was ready for a different genre before the end of the album.

Trying to work and listening to this was giving me anxiety, I need to listen when I'm just chilling. But as of now. 3 stars.

En epäile hetkeäkään soittajien taitoa, mutta lopputulos itsessään on kovin rönsyilevää. Vähän kuin olis vapaisiin jameihin eksynyt.

Kyllä korva lepää tällaisen taustalla soidessa

Just not what I look for in my music. I’m sure it’s good if you know what you’re listening to but does nothing for me

4 songs, 40 minutes of jazz

a jewel

Interessant, no el coneixia. Comença molt bé i requerir més escoltes per captar bé les estructures i matisos. Al final se m'ha fet un xic llarg, però segur que li donaré noves oportunitats.

As if it were destiny, Herbie Hancock would build on the great jazz-fusion foundations laid by Bitches Brew. Hancock leans more into the jazz-funk sound compared to Davis' avant-garde jazz, but the end result is excellent regardless. It's building on a groove until everything is in full-swing. Headhunters is undeniably a great piece of work and one of the finest jazz albums of the 70's. Looking back today, it possesses a certain retro-futuristic sound that would give it a unique charm that has not been heard since. Truly one-of-a-kind.

I thought that’s a great album for the weekend but I was disappointed that it was “jazz like” I enjoy some jazz and his hit record was good. Nevertheless on subsequent listening it was OK so 3*

It was alright. Elevator music really....

Simply one of the best jazz albums ever recorded.

I liked it BUT WHY ARE THE SONGS SO LONG.I could never listen to any of these songs in full because of their immense length.

The beats are good but too repetitive for me. After hearing the same thing for several minutes, I’m ready to move on but there isn’t much to move onto to. With only 4 loooong tracks, this got old quickly.

Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Herbie Hancock were all framers of the constitution.

2 oder wenn 0 möglich, 1

I love this form of jazz which incorporates funk and experimental electronic sounds too! I type of jazz I can really get into! It's innovative and experimental which makes it very exciting to me. I love Chameleon and Watermelon Man they're both really fun and playful tracks, very cool and soulful at the same time. After that the album goes downhill a bit for me, I find Sly has too many stressful sounds for me, it's too chaotic and I ended up clenching my jaw by the end without noticing... I want to rate it higher just for the first two tracks but the second half does bring this down for me.

Have to say this was another jazz album I just didn't get into. I'm not there yet with jazz and uncertain what could possibly make me get there to love something like this. It made good background whilst I reorganised my parents bathroom

We've had worse jazz albums, this was a groove I could get on with

OK. It got rather tedious, but that is probably because I am not a fan of Jazz in general, nor a fan of instrumental music. So it falls outside of my area of interest. Good to have heard it, but I will probably never play any of it again.

Classic jazz. Great background music.

Gets repetitive too quickly

Cool. Funky vibes and lines and I dig it, but not a relaxing or chill album when it gets to Sly. Goes back to funky slow grooves afterwards. 8/10 would listen on the record player.

Extremely engaging and listenable, jazz funk fusion crossover. Hancock makes impressive grooves and Watermelon Man is an unusual, compelling version of a classic.

A little too funky for me

I noped out half way through. Gave me awesome Toejam and Earl Megadrive game feels though.

Weird. First track was dope, I'm.just not a jazz boy

Godly music. Spitfire improv over some of the gnarliest grooves ever concocted. Essential listening for every human being.

I've never heard of Herbie Hancock before, except on the movie Tommy Boy: Richard: I need your John Hancock. Tommy: John Hancock.... It's HERBIE Hancock! Herbie Hancock is a jazz fusion musician, who got his start as a member of the Miles Davis Quintet, before branching off on his own in the 70's. This record is apparently heralded as record breaking, because of its blending of electric jazz, funk, and rock, but it did nothing for me! What I heard was a jazz/funk blend on acid. Long, drawn out solos may work in rock music, but definately don't in jazz music. When a brass instrument is played in such a high key that it sounds like someone murdering cats, I lose interest. A painful listen. I won't be listening ever again. Glad it's done. Favourite song: Watermelon Man I guess, because it is the shortest runtime. Least favourite songs: Chameleon (15 minute instrumental jazz numbers are just too long!!), Vein Melter (the only thing this song melted was my brain out of boredom), Sly 1/5

I admit I had never listened to a HH project until now. It was so good.

not really my thing but i respect the artistry

wowww that was so good

Herbie Hancock has done some pretty far out things, blending jazz & funk isn't one of 'em. 5/5.

Sensational

Excellent, groovy, captivating. Really glad to discover it tonight.

Jazzing it

A bit off beat and groovy. Jam band-esque in some ways. I could listen in the background again easily.

Brings jazz into the modern rock ethos, elements of funk and soul give it brevity and emotion

Not my cup of tea

Not for me.

This was funky as hell. Incredible arrangements and creativity, Will listen to it again

Dette albumet er hva jeg tenker på når jeg tenker på Herbie Hancock. Såå slick, sååå funky.

Aivan megatiukka! Erittäin pitkäaikainen suosikki. On jazzahtavaa ja on funkahtavaa mutta yksi on varma: pääkallonmetsästäjät on pahuksen kova levy! : D Tätä ei vieläkään oo meikän vinyylihyllyssä, mutta kuuntelussa tää on jatkuvasti. Täydet bongot! 5/5

Tää on yks kummajainen. Periaatteessa genren ja soundien puolesta mun pitäis tykätä kauheasti, mutta jotenkin ei oo koskaan ihan lähtenyt. Ehkä liian teknistä tykistystä. Watermelon Man on toki huikea.

Varsin hauskaa funkkistelua. Letkeä meno ja sopivan pituinen platta. 4/5

Melancias homens

the music that'd play when I'm swimming in a pool of Dr. Pepper

Don’t usually listen to stuff like this but it was very enjoyable. Super relaxing and I fell asleep but in a good way.

Never heard this before and it’s a fantastic mix of background Muzak, jazz, pop and electric. Will definitely go into rotation. Great for having on in the background whilst you work or socialise. Solid 8.5/10

Chameleon, Watermelon Man - 5/5

Groovy jazz with a funky tribal underbeat throughout, one of my favs before this project and still a fav

Herbie made a masterpiece that everyone can enjoy!

Pretty good. I should probably listen to it again though because I don't remember much other than "I enjoyed it." Also, no standouts since I can't remember any of the individual songs.

Cool, cool, cool, cool, cool.

This music lifts! Hard to feel bad or down with this playing

I really enjoyed the groove. This is quite on the long end but the tracks come along smoothly. And bring sweet variation along. Would be an awesome ambiance album for sure. 4.25 / 5

Very solid album. Good length, 4 great great songs that totally keep on going even after minutes into the song. Nice jazz, nice funk energy too. A must listen, and you still want more at the end. 4.5/5

4.5

That shits funky

An epic fuse of jazz and soul and funk. This is an outstanding example of the musical period that served my needs during the disco age - JAZZ FUSION. In addition, such a recording served as an impetus for "going back" in Hancock's catalogue to gain a much greater appreciation of straight-ahead jazz. "Chameleon" is the classic tune from this great period piece!

It's like a nice red wine: A great product, but I don't enjoy wine.

THIS is what seventies music should sound like. Focused and flowing. Amazing tunes, amazing band, and funky as all get-out. A perfect length for an album too. Prefer side one, but I like the fact the two ‘sides’ feel different.

I really wanted to like this. I even looked into a cheapo CD on eBay after having enjoyed all 16 minutes of the album opener Chameleon. £3.49 including P&P sounds about right. Jazz shouldn't be fused with anything. It's just jazz, innit. There was an awful lot of noodling and little action. I think I lack the musical sophistication to enjoy albums without vocals. I need someone to tell the story for me.

I mean it's Herbie.

Not my type

The baseline on the opener Chameleon was at the forefront of the song for far too long and turned me off a bit but Watermelon Man pulled me back in with softer vibes. Sly was a frantic thrash of a song but it was excellent and Vein Melter chilled things out again to wrap things up. I liked how they kept it tight at 42 mins. 3.5/5

This was more cultured than I am

five stars

Fantastic as always.

One of my favourite jazz albums

Funky and definitely listenable, a couple of cringe moments but solely due the use of synths lol

sven: poslušat ću još jednom kika: okej u pozadini maša: mau mau

Ovaj album iduće godine puni 50 - a neki dan sam ga baš slušao, bio je ponuđen na naslovnici od rateyourmusica. Chameleon je mnogim hip hop pjesmama bio sample i to me je odmah zadržalo na ovom albumu, ngl, ali što dalje mi je album bio sve bolji.

Funky. I liked this way more than I thought I would. Album Cover: Weird 3/5

Fantastic

Definitely varied and interesting. I dig the dub influence across it.

What cool album art shame the music isn’t my cuppa tea (it’s still good though just don’t expect me to re-listen ) … Chameleon opens the album and it’s literally funk Tarkus it’s way, way too long (even if Tarkus is longer) but this track is a okay instrumental. Watermelon man is a song I really appreciate, I really like the sound they made out of the flutes. Sly is too long just like Chameleon was but I like the almost spy vs spy esque mess it makes. Vein melter as well to be honest all of these tracks are cool but would all be better as a part of a grander song.

Not my taste at all, I miss some vocals.

I did not like this weird computer heavy influence over the jazz. Some of it just sounded like weird video game music, too long and repetitive.

What a brilliant album. Jazzy, funky. Loved it. It's only 4 songs, so I'm saving the whole thing, but my favourite was Watermelon Man and Chameleon

I've never been a huge fan of this album, but I have to admit that it's grown on me a bit. I used to find it dull and vaguely corny, whereas now I think it's all right, but head-scratchingly overrated. There are some decent grooves on here, but there's also some really obnoxious timbre choices. There are a lot of recordings from this era that come across livelier and more exciting. I'm assuming I lack the historical context to appreciate this album for what it was at the time, but I guess that means that it didn't hold up to the test of time as far as I'm concerned. It's all right, no great shakes. Moving on.

Pretty solid funk music. Good background/study music

Ah, good quality jazz-funk. It's nice to hear an album of like four songs, reminds me a bit of Miles Davis in that regard. Not a big fan of this version of "Watermelon Man" with all the blowing through the glass bottles. Hindewhu is not my thing, I guess. I like "Sly" being a tribute to Sly of Sly and the Family Stone. Vein Melter wow! Definitely one I will come back to, although I may just get 3 of the four songs if I go buy it online....

So cool how he decided to change up his style & sound and produced this super funky album. Loved the opening track Chameleon - so much funk and great grooves. I'm pretty sure that French band Stereolab sampled the clicking bass or guitar sound from Watermelon Man on their first track of Emperor Tomato Ketchup. Nothing like homage to show greatness. I didn't like Watermelon Man as much as Chameleon - some weird stuff in the former while the latter was like listening to the best funk rock George Clinton could deliver. Sly and Vein Melter were also good but not as good as Chameleon; felt a little more reserved. Still, quite a good album that I would not have otherwise listened to. I love when that happens.

Never would have listened to this normally, but I really enjoyed this. Nice background music.

One of a couple perfect jazz/funk records. Could loop it endlessly without issue.

Funky

Like Bitches Brew, this is an album that changed jazz forever.

Interesting and impressive but not really for me. Best song Vein Melter

Very nice album to listen too.

I was going to say my one criticism is that Herbie is having a little too much fun with the synth fx, but that’s also partly why this album is so good. Chameleon has one of my all-time favourite bass riffs, Watermelon Man is barely recognizable from the original but glad there are both versions, & the last 2 tracks are great complements to each other: the fiery sax & percussion of “Sly” is a world apart from the ethereal piano in “Vein Melter”. October 9, 2022

Not what I'd call an auspicious beginning... somewhere between the cantina band from Star Wars and the theme from Sanford & Son.

I bought this album out of a used bin almost 20 years ago because I liked the cover art and colors. Listened once. Now I’ve heard it twice. Not horrible. Not good.

Not the Jazz for me.

Some very nice jazz/funk, especially the first 2 tracks

p297. 1973. 2 stars, but would give it 1.5 if that were an option. Tedious 1970s jazz-funk with loooooong double digit minute tracks. Sounds like the rejected soundtrack for a blaxploitation film. As with most jazz, technically proficient, but it leaves me cold.

A lot going on through this album. Super expressive for having zero real lyrics. Watermelon Man scared me though

Best song: Chameleon Classic jazz with some awesome, funky instrumentals.

4/5. The last song is not great but every other song really brings it. Super funky and awesome.

I've known of Herbie Hancock for a long time, I've always enjoyed the first few minutes of Chameleon and then it just gets very noisy and discordant and I'm no longer having fun. Unfortunately that's a lot of the same with this 4-song album. Won't listen again.

Fantastic. Qintesential fussion of jazz and funk. Groovy all the way

i really liked watermelon man, it was super jazzy but overall the album was incredibly long.

Extremely funky.

For the past few months, because of a music class I'm taking that focuses on rhythm and groove, I've been listening to what I suppose one would call "jazz-funk" quite a lot. I hadn't ever before paid attention to this style of music, and, oh, wow, do I absolutely LOVE it. This album, the tracks of which I'm sure have shown up in various shuffled playlists on the usual streaming services, is a superb example of the genre, and it's great. Wow, the skill of these performers. Incredible. My only slight criticism is purely a matter of personal taste, and that's it can get a little too "synth-y" for my subjective preference. To my ears, that can a little shrill and kind of cuts into my listening too sharply. I get it: we're in the early 70s here and synths are still a fascinating experimental novelty to so many musicians, so it makes sense given the time. Despite that, the grooves and melodies are sooooo good, so I'll be sure to give this one additional listens.

Very progressive. Not my personal taste but a classic. Watermelon Man is brilliant.

Creative and experimental. Could become a bit heavy but if in the mood of long songs with complex arrangements, great. Interesting use of electronic instruments.

Different from my current taste.

Another artist I’ve never heard of, although I think it would be fair to say that jazz is my least familiar genre. I’d probably not be able to run out of fingers on one hand naming jazz artists, and that’s not even counting my thumb. There are only four songs on the album, yet it’s 42 minutes long. I have a feeling this is either going to be great or a real drag… Songs I already know: none Favourite after listening: Sly Overall: 4/10 This album was an experience. It was a journey. The thing about journeys though, is that some have crashes along the way which frankly makes the rest of the trip less fun. I expected jazz, but immediately in the first track Chameleon, I’m hearing straight funk as it starts. I’m no jazz aficionado, but this wasn’t what I was expecting. However, after around 10 minutes into the 14 minute song, I’m bored. Halfway through the second song, I’m wishing I was listening to anything else. The third track, Sly, is much better than the previous tracks, but I’m still not sure I’d go back to it. After the fourth track which sounds more traditional jazz to me, the album is finished! It is 4 songs long, but still 42 minutes in total. Sly is the best thing about this album, which is what bumped it up to a 4/10 for me.

Top 3 Songs: 1 - Watermelon Man (2) 2 - Chameleon (1) 3 - Sly (3)

Je ne prends aucun plaisir à écouter ça

je dois admettre qu'il m'a cassé la tête par moments

Every time I play this it's even better than I remember

Some unusual jazz stuff, I will be revisiting it

very funky. hope its good 4! i think it has the white lotus theme in it!

Confirmed I don't have a taste for jazz. Appreciate the musicality though.

Very groovy. Loved the vibes. In some songs, the melody dragged out, but overall really enjoyed.

Saw the cover and knew this would be a banger of an album Funky jazz Crazy they did a cover of one of their own songs (highly recommend listening to their first attempt) Technically wild

This might be the greatest cover I've ever seen. The music was a little groovy but dragged on and on for me. It sounds like these guys just went in the studio for 45 mins and that was the album. 2/10

Feel like my grandparents would always play watermelon man

iconic jazz

Jazzy, funky sweet goodness. Absolutely phenomenal. Chameleon and Watermelon Men just smoke.

All great tunes. Funky grooves synth is not typically my thing, but this hits me. Love Vein Melter.

Gasp - jazz I actually "like?" Well, I did like this one, a lot more than I expected to. I think the funk beats helped me get into the "grove" and stay with it.

Funky

Very of its time, there was some strong 70’s vibes coming out of this album

Absolutely xlassix

funky grooves

Great musician, no doubt, and famous album. Nonetheless: This is an album I will never listen to again. But then again. Funk is not my genre.

Favourite track(s): Watermelon Man While very jazzy, the album is not as exhausting to listen to as other more improvisational works. Some of the passages could even be described as smooth. The intro and outro of Watermelon Man are certainly most rememberable and enclose a track I will most definitely listen to again.

I know it’s a gd classic, but just not my cup of tea

Funky

Instrumental from front to back. Watermelon man is clearly the most famous here but the instrumentals were different enough to keep me invested.

Es muy dificil calificar el impacto de un disco tanto tiempo después, sobre todo en este tipo de música que la han copiado demasiado al dia de hoy. Lo mejor para mi es la versiòn Watermelon Man.

I love Herbie Hancock. Amazing groove, amazing artwork. 5 stars!

Funky

Хорошо приятно

It's a bop

Kan nog lära mig tycka om det här.

Fresh as hell grooves that hit on a hazy hot summer afternoon

Interessante, bem música ambiente.

Funky Jazz and the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence?!?! Amazing.

Some really great chill jams. They almost lost me with the last track, but Chameleon is a banger and more than makes up for it. Best track: Chameleon

a mixed bag

Enjoyed it.

This is a very fun jazz album. The progressive themes hit just right. The opening track definitely feels like the strongest song.

nae

This was another weird one. It was ok. Not a lot of selection so choosing the songs was a bit harder than normal. 1. Sly 2. Watermelon Man 3. Chameleon

Interesting with long songs but not very engaging

Great fusion jazz / funk album. It's a classic for good reasons.

Funky smooth and cool

Lol head. As in noshing off.

This is obviously 1 star.

Jazz fusion that rips all the way through. The cymbals on Sly got me bricked. The drum work on this album is so good. The Sax and keys were slapping.

What an absolute jazz funk onslaught. Incredible album

First half is great, real funky. Second half doesn’t have quite the same charm

Awesome jazz-funk album by Herbie, once again showing his versatility. Classic!

Ace!

I can certainly recognize the talent of this album, but it made me realize I'm not a huge funk fan.

The drumming at the end of Sly. What music is about.

Funky and jazzy, nice in the background

Not for me, too weird!

trippy parts are too trippy song two is great soundstage amazing (HD600)

Chameleon, watermelon man, awesome. Great album

Dreamy, trippy and funky

Awesome fucking album

I LOVE “Chameleon.” I used to listen to this one all the time on road trips. It doubles — for me — as toe-tapping easy-listening for reading as well as perfect music for dancing. “Watermelon Man” is funky and features West African percussion instruments — I wonder if this was one of the first times these instruments reached the American mainstream. “Sly” — undoubtedly a tribute to Sly Stone and “Vein Melter” are also great tunes with lives of their own.

Too chaotic

I listen to lots of disco/funk outside of this challenge and this should be in my wheelhouse. Hancock is such a great pianist but this album just didn't do it for me.

You can always trust Herbie Hancock for finding a new groove, and dig gold out of it. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 873 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 69 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 31 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 28

fun weird jazz.

i liked it, nice backround music ig, good production or whatever, it wasnt boring but only as a backround noise while doing something repetitive 8/10 (rated by a proffessional in the field)

This album is absolutely iconic from the very first bass note. I would consider this the best marriage of jazz and funk ever put together. Headhunters would serve as a template for a lot of great improvised music to come after it, especially for jazz artists like Medeski, Martin, and Wood. It's so smooth and yet infinitely groovy and danceable. A song like Watermelon Man shouldn't work as well as it does, but that's the level of skill that Hancock brings to this album, and he makes it look easy. There's lots of points in Herbie Hancock's career that you could point to as the pinnacle. The man played on some of Miles Davis's best albums for christ's sake, but for me this is the absolute best. It's a towering dance album that exists somewhere in the tension between the analogue and digital realms. It's not one to be missed 5/5

Jazz fusion

yes. love jazz-funk. the intro sound in watermelon man O.o so fun. so good.

this is funky!! Also I lol at this artist's name because it reminds me of the scene in Tommy Boy when he thinks Herbie Hancock is the first person who signed the declaration of independence. Watermelon Man reminds me of the white lotus soundtrack

The only thing I know about Herbie Hancock is the Herbie Hancock joke by Chris Farley from Tommyboy. Not in my wheelhouse. Pretty experimental for this era of jazz.

This is pretty cool. I knew his name just not his music. I like it.

I like Rockit. But I didn't know this music. It was okayish

3/5

Niet helemaal af kunnen draaien, maar leuk plaatje!

Tja, jazz hè...

Herbie begon best sterk maar verviel na anderhalf nummer in puur jazzy zenuwslopend gepiel en getoeter.

Het begin vond ik echt flitsend maar toen werd het jazz. En hoewel een funky soort, kan ik gewoon niet zo goed uit de voeten met jazz.

tri massa, típico sonzao instrumental pro cara estudar enquanto curte

I like jazz, and I know this is a classic, but I just don’t dig it.

Muchos estilos en 40 minutos...Funky (Los mejores bajos que se pueden escuchar estan acá) - Jungle Jazz - Disco ( una idea de disco eléctronico, antes de que todo explotara) Mejor canción: Watermelon Man

Just jazz. Sounds great, not my thing.

Funky

Hmmmh, what a groove! Sehr funky. Chameleon Erinnert in seiner Loopigkeit schon stark an entsprechend gefärbte House-Tracks. Die Clavinet-Soli-Strecken gehen einem bald auf die Nerven. Später in diesem Track wird die Rythm Section aktiver (u.a. mit so skippy Bongos), der Bass wird präsenter, da machts dann wieder mehr Spaß. Watermelon Man ist toll, schon das Intro (dessen auf einem Flaschenhals zu hörender Multi-Loop im dritten Drittel noch mal zu hören ist). Noch weniger "klassisch"-jazzig als Track eins. Damit ist mit Sly Schluss, hier sind wieder mehr Impro und disharmonische Melodien drin. Vein Melter als letzer Track nimmt das Tempo raus, bleibt aber stimmungsvoll und detailreich. Fast wird hier Dub vorausgeahnt.

Not only a fusion classic, but also a favorite of modern dance/yoga instructors everywhere. If I were gonna recommend a Herbie album, this wouldn’t be the first on my list but it would definitely be at the top if I were gonna recommend a funk/fusion title. Essential.

3 Crazy shit. "Sly" is awesome Was late for morning control, but suddenly I had plenty of time when that piece came on.

I have previously said that I find reviewing jazz deadening: I have neither the expertise nor the inclination to write about jazz in a considered manner. Also, who wants to read about jazz? Have you ever read a genuinely entertaining passage about uncommon time signatures? (Postscript: I sent this piece to a friend to read before it was uploaded, and she refused, saying she hated jazz and would decline to read a jazz review regardless of who wrote it or what it said. That, my associates, is vindication.) Still, I should seek to toughen myself up, and Herbie Hancock's Headhunters is properly labelled jazz-funk, so perhaps I could treat this as a bridge from one genre I'm comfortable writing about to one that makes me uneasy. But then, I remember the genre is jazz-funk. Quick primer on jazz-funk: in the late 60s jazz cats, most notably Miles Davis, start to take inspiration from hard rock, because everyone understandably wants to be Hendrix. Likewise, soul musicians also start to take inspiration from hard rock, because everybody understandably wants to be Hendrix, and thus devise funk. In the febrile conditions of the early 70s, both camps merge, begetting a form of jazz that's all about the bass and rather synth-driven. Now, among some of your clever-clog music journos, jazz-funk (a.k.a. fusion) retains somewhat of a high reputation due to its, well, fusion of jazz and funk. However, it's hard to think of a genre more widely despised than jazz-funk. Miles Davis' Bitches Brew has perennially battled Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica as the album most heralded by pseuds who secretly prefer Girls Aloud (e.g., my mate Rob), and just as many clever-clog journos decry jazz-funk as utterly fucking unlistenable. As for myself, I guess I'm a jazz-funk pragmatist. If it sounds good, it's good. If it sounds wank, it's wank. Miles Davis' On the Corner? Good. Weather Report's Heavy Weather? Wank. The opening to Headhunters is promising. The first track Chameleon starts with a stone groove. But you drift. Your attention takes a little walkabout, and without realising it you've somehow brought a cheesemaking kit on Amazon, all because your brain was looking for something to do whilst listening to jazz-funk. Now, none of that is meant to imply that Headhunters sounds bad: it doesn't. It sounds alright, but nothing more than that. And it drags. When one is arsed enough to concentrate, individual passages impress, but one inevitably loses focus and Headhunters just becomes something on in the background. Is that a mark of a good jazz album? Upon a second listen to this album, I am wholly unshifted in my jazz-funk pragmatism. I know that some will treasure this, and some will loathe it. I enjoy the possibly sanest position of deeming it okay. It sounds fair, but a bit dull. What a great virtue concision really is!

If I must listen to Jazz, at least make it funky.

3.5

6/2/2022 - ALBUM #126 Today's Album: "Head Hunters" by Herbie Hancock - What an absolutely breathtaking, diverse, and impressive Jazz album. From the opening song, Chameleon, it is apparent that this is going to be a jazz album unlike ones you have heard before. The 15 minute track runtime, Having one of the catchiest and funkiest basslines in existence, the ridiculous keyboard soloing throughout the track, the crisp and balanced production, the way the main bassline changes for the middle third of the song, the little embellishments from guitars and keys throughout the entire track, the incomparable performances from every single member of the band (especially the drums). Everything combines to create this absolute clusterfuck of a jazz song that hits you like a train and never gives up for it's entire quarter of an hour runtime. The performances don't stop being extremely energetic, impressive, and incredibly funky despite the changes in mood and it becomes more and more obvious how in tune all of these musicians are. Watermelon Man is also a really great track here that starts with this sort of pan-flute chant before the bass and drums lay down this absolutely psychedelic groove. It definitely is a bit more experimental and eccentric, but I think it really plays into the strengths of the group and very soon after the band is back to running on all cylinders, but this time with the more chilled out groove, there it way more skill put into the timing and style of the playing and it just lends itself to this really great musical atmosphere. The saxophone really shines in this track and I just think it's kind of wild how the thing that stands out the least in this group it probably the guitar, and the guitar performance is still leagues better than most. Everything in this album is just super catchy and puts you into this really great vibe. I really like how the tracks follow this sort of ABA pattern of playing, where the original grove that is constructed in the beginning is tore back down at the end. I can best describe the track Sly as the soundtrack to a spy movie when they're sneaking around the heist location, but then it sort of deconstructs into this nightmare trip of a chase sequence, where there is a lot of essentially chaotic, yet synchronized noodling. It's a really great track and has a ton of personality along with some killer performances all around, but it does sort of just start to sound like background music in the beginning and total chaotic nonsense in the middle, at least from just a casual listening perspective. Very fun and experimental track, but it definitely doesn't lay down as solid of a groove as the other songs. The last song, Vein Melter, is a pretty calm and meditative closer, with this really steady snare roll and hi-hat groove leading these really ethereal synth sounds and a really dreamy bassline. Some of the keyboard sounds do sound a little cheesy here like they're pre-installed on some midi keyboard, but the great performances from the rest of the band and the really steady groove make it a pretty enjoyable listen and a good way to end off the record after a pretty insane listen. Overall, this album loses me a tiny bit in the second half with some slightly less exciting tracks, but the album overall still feels really balanced and flows well from start to finish. Give this one a listen if you enjoy jazz in literally any capacity or have ever wanted to understand more. It's very accessible and super fun! Highlights: Chameleon, Watermelon Man, Sly, Vein Melter Score: 8.5/10 My favorite Jazz album to date

Bit more listenable than some of the jazz

Nothing wrong with, just have to be in a mood for it.

I've listened to this album a ton before and it is so damn good. Herbie Hancock is a groovy, jazzy, funky, creative mastermind.

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

heyyyyyyyyy, watermelon man!!!!!’ this album is great.

4 songs for Herbie Hancock to lay it down. Chameleon is a solid funky groove all the way through and changes its stripes at set intervals. Watermelon Man is cool. Vein Melter also very cool.

super LP

groovy

I listened to Head Hunters once before because the album came up as a suggestion on YouTube after I listened to some Miles Davis. Herbie Hancock is a different kind of jazz than Davis, but Head Hunters was a good way to expand the music that I have listened to. The album is solid and as a whole I would give it a higher rating than tracks individually. I put two of the four tracks into my personal playlist ("Chameleon", "Vein Melter"), and I would come back to this album for a second listen.

Some of the roots of funk found here. Herbie is known so well as a serious jazz musician who branched out into other areas. As part of the generation that first heard him with Rock-It, it’s great to hear that he was breaking new ground long before that!

I liked it...wasn't sure what to expect but reminded me of Vince Guaraldi and his music for Peanuts specials...turns out Hancock did Fat Albert specials. I learned a thing!

Love the funk! 3/5

Pretty much flawless jazz funk. First half is definitely superior, but this entire thing is a staggering work in terms of quality

yir boi

Fusionsjazz, funk, fremragende klaver, 4 lange numre, rimelig skarpt

All right.

Jazz-Funk instrumental. Me ha gustado. Un 4.

Rollo

mongo mango

Limpid jazz with a pleasant bop and squiggle but none of the knotty, edge-of-the-universe stuff he managed under Miles' tutelage.

1st song: Nice groovy drums and bass throughout the 15min track. With some nice solo moments for different instruments (Electric piano, saxophone). Overall felt like a groovy, jazzy but also experimental track. Not super experimental, but just jazzy experimental. 2nd song: The woodwinds and guitars sounded almost like human voices having a conversation. 3rd/4th song. Pretty trippy. Overall this album was a nice, groovy, jazzy, experimental journey.

Yep, this is funky jazz

5/5. Undeniable all-time classic :)

Meh

This album was on constant rotation for me back in high school. It is great to dust you off and hear from you again, old friend; you are just as fantastic now as you were back then.

Full of epic and silly music. It's fun, it's funky, and I LIKE IT.

So cool! Very different from what I listen to normally, but I liked it. The layering of sounds and rhythms as an intro was really nice.

funky yellow rbobot

Some smooth funky jazz

a stacked 1st half with songs apprentice jazz musicians will learn to solo to

Wasn’t expecting to enjoy this so much. I especially enjoyed “Watermelon Man.”

I really enjoyed this, such cool stuff!

It's Herbie

A really enjoyable funk/jazz album. The musicianship on this album is unreal, with the various segues into highly experimental jazz can be a real trip.

good of its kind but gave birth to too many youth jazz band versions of Watermelon Man...

Side 1 5 stars, side 2 3.5.

Fun interesting funky jazz listen, but not something I’d listen to all the time.

Classic jazz fusion

Nice. Real nice. B

Really smooth, very nice. I’d give it a 5 except sometimes the horns got so high pitched it literally hurt my ears and I had to turn the volume down.

sau cool

This held my attention for generally half of each song before it fell into the background. I can't argue with the playing on here, but it all seems more like noodling than something you can really invest yourself in, listening-wise. Would've loved to have heard this when it first came out - maybe it would've blown my mind. But having lived through the 90s when most acts were repurposing this sound... it doesn't come off especially special for me.

An album I already own, and for good reason - rock hard fusion played by some of the best in the biz. Not sure anyone who isn't already on the jazz train will be converted, although this bad boy does a decent job of reaching across the aisle to the funksters

Genre: Jazz-Funk 4/5 An absolute groovefest, Herbie Hancock's Head Hunters is one of the coolest sounding jazz records around, and is a true funk fest for the ages. From the opening bassline in Chameleon to the final tinkling chords of Vein Melter, we're gifted with a full set of intricate, technically brilliant, semi-experimental jazz pieces that can hold their nose to anything else out there, old and new. Sly, as well as Chameleon, has some of the best basswork I've listened to throughout this exercise, and not just the jazz albums I've listened to, but any of the albums. (Shoutout to Paul Jackson, bass extraordinaire). The piano playing, Herbie Hancock's handiwork, is superb. Futuristic, with lots of synthesizers used throughout, but still maintaining those classic jazz roots he's so familiar with and so adept at playing. An absolute treat, and an album that I would say goes beyond a dinner party jazz album. This is a get off the couch, shake-your-ass album. Really great stuff.

Nice funky drive. The sax (I think) in the tune, Sly, is poppin.OK? Generally not KY thing, but I can tell why it was an important album in 1973.

more than essential jazz

Admittedly, I don't listen to a ton of jazz. But this is one of my favorite jazz albums, one of just a few I actually own. Trippy, funky, sick grooves, front to back. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Watermelon Man, Chameleon, Vein Melter, Sly

Great funky instrumental Jazz. A stone-cold classic in the genre. Favourites: "Chameleon", "Watermelon Man"

I like jazz but not a big fan of fusion. This album has moments where rhe groove gets pretty intense, but for me thecsoloing intrudes on the song and serves no useful purpose except to show the musicianship and speed with which each player plays. 3 🌟

Some cool music but in terms of listening regularly I probably wouldn't because the songs were quite long and did not really stand out to me

Not bad. Easy listening background. It was ok and harmless, but not something I’d actively listen to.

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.

Enjoyed thus, especially the first 2 tracks, third was a bit too experimental for me.

Svona kjallarinn á Paloma jazz-funk. Heitt og sveitt.

Nomas para saber

Enjoyed

Today I learned about the groovy clavinet. How could I not have been aware of this marvelous instrument before now? Wow, I loved the first half of this album! Funky and fun! The second half was a little less fun I thought.

I investigated this album not so long ago after hearing samples on a different album on this list. It is exactly what I expected from Herbie Hancock of the 70s. The funky jazz can really speak to my soul! I am more of a fan of the first two tracks than the last two, but overall, I can dig it.

Funky change of pace from my usual fare. Had a great time.

I was wavering a bit on this album. I really enjoyed the “Chameleon” although it got a little long there in the middle, and really enjoyed the dreamy Vein Melter. I sort of wavered a bit in the middle of the album. I would up in 3.5 territory, but found the whole thing pleasant enough that I’m rounding up to a 4.

I love Hancock’s music in general, and I was always intrigued by his genre breakthroughs. This one is one of those unique ones, and, more importantly, is still a pleasure to listen to today. I just love it!

Nothing I would seek out on my own, but overall a pretty enjoyable album. I felt the length of some of the tracks in a bad way, but each one had something good for me.

C'est pour des albums comme ça que je suis ce site Prefs: Chameleon, Watermelon Man, Sly Moins pref: Vein Melter

De lo que más me ha gustado de jazz en lo que llevo de la lista. Jazz mezclado con funk, muy agradable y de buena duración. Súper recomendable.

No está malo el funk del principio, de hecho me tenía trabajando y bailando, pero se vuelve largo y hacia el final ya es lento y cansado.

Irresistible jazz with an electronic edge. Groundbreaking and essential.

It starts off with a bang with Chameleon and the other 3 songs aren't bad, just not on the level of Chamelon. A solid listen, but not something I'd want to listen to often.

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.

God I love music

I enjoyed this a lot. The first half more than the second where it lost a bit pf momentum. Probably now my favourite jazz funk album

Enjoyed this way more than I expected. Really funky and easy to see the influence on lots of later artists.

Jazz Funk Perfection

Too jazz for me.

Fun jazz funk keyboards. Written as a suite of four pieces.

Its one of the coolest albums ever and needed to be twice as long

Stone cold classic. Loved this album since my teens.

Épico. Se siente muy libre y he estado todo el tiempo dentro de la jam que es este disco. Muchos samples por aquí y por allá y muy dinámico, ha sido bastante disfrutable, y hay pequeñas frases y momentos que son infecciosos.

1973. Watermelon Man, Chameleon

Leiðinleg plata

Perfect album

Нетленка Хэрби Хэнкока

2/5 nope!

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.

one of those records that makes me wish i'd been a band kid in high school

Absolute gem.

Listened to this while riding a bike. "Sly" was a real nice tune, it actually synced to the high and low speed moments of the ride. It reminded of "Bixiga 70". It's probably a very historically important album, but I'd personally not write home about it.

Pretty funky, long songs but only 40min. 3/5

Good but short.

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

Not really fan of jazz and this was no exception

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

Something new for me. Funky and fun.

Pleasant and unassuming, so not that interesting, but I'd never object to hearing it again.