Reviews (page 4 of 14)
Amazing experience, lovely background. Would listen again.
pre listening notes: i have heard of herbie hancock before but u honestly have no clue what i’m getting into. i like the album art, let’s go! Chameleon - funk! holy shit funk. i’m omw to work with a latte in hand already late and this song is making me want to call out. i can’t work with this juicy baseline and saxophone in my ear. y’all this song is 13 minutes long. this rips!! and then halfway through it changes to a. well i was going to say sounds like Louie Zong but then i looked into it and louie zong cites herbie hancock as being one of his biggest inspirations so i guess no one was fucking doing it like this! Watermelon Man - pretty much immediately a different vibe! there’s woodwinds here. flute and recorder and something else i’m not sure what it is? ahh but there’s that bass. this one was less hype to me than Chameleon but still very good! would def listen again Sly - aptly titled, this song feels sly. smooth and inquisitive. fuck i love the saxophone. where was this while i was studying at college?? looking for jazzy lofi beats. i didn’t know i was subconsciously searching for herbie. Vein Melter - much different vibe. more chilled out and laid back but still technically impressive and easy to listen to. although this album is only four songs, the range shown and the musicianship is literally mindblowing. once again, i find myself immensely grateful that i’m trying this 1001 album thing out because although sometimes i get frustrated (cough cough morrissey), sometimes i’m introduced to genius. 5/5
Chameleon opens with a simple, funky bassline before overlapping waves of synths come in, almost overwhelming the listener, then retreating. The bass becomes more insistent and the synths softer. The clavinet (?) comes in and the drumming is intricate, then the bassline from the intro returns. Watermelon Man is shorter, with pan flutes creating a vibrant atmosphere. Sly stays closer to jazz, with a rapid tempo and very complex rhythm section. Vein Melter is calmer, with fragments of melody over a rhythm recalling a marching band. Incredibly dense and rewarding music.
fucking sick awesome amazing album!!! i really need to get more into jazz,, this seems like a good entry point for me. 9/10 fav track: watermelon man
Wonderful. Soooo good.
I had never hear dthis before and i can confidently say now that this album goes hard. And when i say hard i mean this album is unrelenting in it's funkyness. I was enthralled for the entire duration. Will listen to this on repeat for a week.
I like jazz, especially jazz like this
Loved the three tracks other than Watermelon Man, but I think I'll listen to this again often.
Echt nice
Still sounds so hip and funky fresh!
An album like this is exactly why I'm on this 1001 album journey. I never would have listened to this otherwise - while I know who Herbie Hancock is, I just never felt the need to give him a listen. I'm very glad to have heard it now, though! Great music for a morning at home or a study session. I know this came well before Cowboy Bebop, but it's like I just found a long-lost soundtrack from that show in the best way. 5/5
Beginning
Love this album. Herbie Hancock's entrance into a funk and it's a classic!
One of the greats. Watermelon Man is a masterpiece.
I want this on vinyl. Not at all what I expected but find myself dancing through the house to this one. It's a good early morning album
I got a lot of homework done with this album!
What a weird album, but honestly I super loved this. Not sure about the vocalizations but everything else is A++. Favorite song: Chameleon
Nog lichtelijk comateus na deze funk overdose, probeer ik toch een stukje te typen. Om te beginnen, soms heb je van die albums die klinken zoals de hoes eruit ziet. Deze cover art bereidt je voor op een perfect afgewogen lading buitenaardse funk. Herbie en de rest van de koppensnellers zijn allemaal in de vorm van hun leven, waar niet over valt te twisten als je het openingsnummer hoort. Die bass line is als een levensader door alle jazz rap die een decennium later pas volgde. Sterker nog, de gehele compositie zou als een bijbel hebben gediend voor groepen als A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers en De La Soul. Ik snap dat jazz niet ieders cup of tea is, maar als je deze groove niet rechtstreeks door je poriën opneemt dan is er iets goed mis. Door zo groots te beginnen schrijf je je eigen doodsvonnis al bijna als jazz band, hoe ga je het nu nog interessant houden voor de gemiddelde luisteraar? De re-imagination van Herbie's classic 'Watermelon Man' houdt zich uitstekend staande. En de spacende flow sust mij nog iets dieper in m'n funk-coma. Een tip voor de mensen die een hond hebben: zet hem eens op in het bijzijn van je viervoeter. De hond bij m'n ouders geeft nooit ene fuck om welke muziek dan ook, tot dat die eigenaardige tribal fluitjes - hoogstwaarschijnlijk geproduceerd door een echte kannibalenstam - door de speakers blazen. Dan verlaat de geest van je huisdier z'n lichaam, en wordt het reptielenbrein maximaal getriggerd. En ook die van mij, kan er geen genoeg van krijgen. Bij 'Sly' wordt de spaceshuttle echt gelanceerd, en belanden we in een 10-minuten lange free-jazz trip. Ik waardeer de wat subtielere grooves op deze plaat meer, maar deze adrenaline rush is een schoolvoorbeeld van hoe je een album dus wél interessant houdt nadat je al je kruid al verschoten leek te hebben bij een legendarische opener. Het slotstuk met de toepasselijke naam 'Vein Melter' zorgt ervoor dat we weer veilig op aarde belanden. Het nummer geeft je overprikkelde zenuwcentrum de ruimte om tot rust kan komen, ondanks dat er af en toe nog een buitenaards geluid langs dwaalt waar je toch weer even paranoïde van wordt. De angst om weer terug het luchtruim ingeschoten te worden is nooit ver weg. Toch is deze come down ietwat onbevredigend, en voelt hij een beetje leeg aan. Maar al met al overheerst het vakmanschap van deze gasten. Elk lid was on top of his game tijdens deze sessie, en elk instrument kreeg de ruimte om te schitteren. De kracht van dit album ligt hem wat mij betreft grotendeels in deze balans, waar 40 minuten ook een ideale dosis jazz-funk is zonder dat de vreemde geluidjes, abrupte tempowisselingen, en zélfs de dominante bass lines gingen irriteren of vervelen. 9/10 Highlights: Chameleon Watermelon Man
goat music. fun, funny, groovy. I love music and these instruments
Legend.
No notes. Those are my notes, no notes. you get it? Like, these aren't here to provide notes on the album because I have nothing to say that could possibly inform on something so magnanimously awesome
this slaps
I have listened to other albums of Herbie Hancock, but this was the first time I have heard this one. I enjoyed it. Very energetic. I could tell it was HH right away. Same familiar sounds and vibe.
Very fun album.
4 nummers, duurt 41 minuten! Interessant album wat een beetje het midden houdt tussen jazz en funk naar mijn mening. De nummers duren ontzettend lang en dat kan een nadeel zijn Maar tering wat funkt dit hard zeg. Het is chaotisch, het is jazzy, het is funky. Dit is wel echt behoorlijk alles waar ik op hoopte toen ik een Herbie Hancock album zag. Vein Melter is echt een prachtig einde en een goede titel! Ik ga dit album hierna nog een keer luisteren denk ik. Dit album doet voor mij wat Kind Of Blue ook deed, ik wilde meteen meer en meer en heb sindsdien dat album echt vaker geluisterd. Fuck it, 5 sterren! FAVO: Chameleon, Watermelon man, Sly, Vein Melter
Badd azzz!!!
Absolute perfection. Chameleon is my favorite track ever. This album cover is on my favorite T-shirt.
Wow!!!!
Absolute banger. Watermelon man is a 10/10
This one is an instant 5* album for me. I'm a big fusion fan and this is such a big record that I've been familiar with since childhood. Everything about is is fantastic: the strong rhythms, exploratory solos and developing arrangements that stay funky all the way through. All of the musicians on the record are superb but Harvey Mason's drums stand out for me - I would love to be able to play like him. Love it.
Proving that Funky can be Fun, Head Hunters is one of the great Jazz albums ever. Peaking at #13 on the Billboard 200 (in 1974), it had great crossover success, and is one of the top selling jazz albums of all time. Wikipedia says it was “Among the defining moments of the [then] emerging jazz fusion and jazz-funk movements…” That pretty well sums it up. I own this album, am quite familiar with it. I’d certainly recommend it to anyone interested in classic Jazz, fusion or funk It is an easy 4.5/5, in this case I’ll round up because of its significance. 5
Absolutely phenomenal thank
Man have I been lucky this week. The Police's "Reggatta De Blanc," Muddy Waters's "At Newport 1960," and now this. What is there to say about Herbie Hancock that hasn't already been said? This feels like an album that absolutely belongs on this list not simply because it's popular, but because of its influence. This album *needed* to be on this list. If you have any interest in funk, soul, jazz, or hip-hop (especially old school hip-hop), you will like this album not just because it's an absolute joy to listen to, but because it went on to influence all of those genres. It's only 4 tracks, but man is there so much funky soul, so much attitude, so much precision and confidence packed into them. The synth work in this is exceptional. He uses it as an instrument and not as a gimmick or something just to add layers. And rhythm section is absolutely in lockstep. He really assembled such an excellent group of musicians for this one. This is one I would want to own a physical copy of. This is one I'll have on repeat for a while. Standout tracks (even though there's only 4): Chameleon, Watermelon Man, Sly (though the fading heartbeat-like bass drum at the end of Vein Melter almost makes it a standout)
For someone who doesn’t listen to much jazz or funk, this is the best jazz-funk record I’ve ever heard.
Extremely groovy. Great look at the mixture of funk and mod.
I listened to this for a week straight when a trusted friend first introduced me. He said I would love it, and sure enough I did. I remember playing it one afternoon at a stoplight and the gentleman next to me motioning to roll the window down, and proceeded to tell me about seeing Herbie and how it changed his life. So glad to have been introduced to it myself!
fucking groovy
5/5 already know and love
Listened to this one a LOT when growing up. It was influential. Even covered Chameleon in a ska band I was in. Revolutionary in the use of synth.
Easy. Vibin' and boppin' here. (Made me peak at the 1001 to see whether my jazzfusionrock favourite is on there and now all is good.)
Sooooo groovy!
I like it! Good for stimulating background music at dinner.
This is one of the first albums I heard on Ian's McIntosh system and it was amazing. I also met Herbie Hancock at Sound Warehouse and had him sign my hand LOLOL
Great album. I’ll listen to anything Herbie Hancock.
Extremely funky jazz. For what it is, it's basically perfect.
Repetitive but interesting.
Nice upbeat Jazz, really fun to listen to
“It’s a mixture of Jazz and Funk. It’s called Junk” Chameleon is an absolute bop Watermelon Man is weird but I do like it The rest of the album is dope
I enjoyed the album Head Hunters. I am motivated to listen to more of Herbie Hancock’s music. What a musical genius!
Wonderful listen. Was fortunate to see Herbie not too long ago and can’t believe he is still touring.
Absolute classic.
Great - Chameleon and Watermelon Man are 2 of the greatest Jazz Funk tracks ever
Absolutely awesome album. This band reminds me so much of my favorite group, Snarky Puppy, and it's clear to see them as an influence to fusion jazz pieces everywhere. Incredible stuff.
A vibe.
A ride to funk ville
Sublime and fun Jazz/Funk record. Short and sweet even though it has 15 min songs. Gotta love Herbie.
Absolutely groovy, lots of interesting sounds, a gem of its kind. Though it's an album whose musics are a bit long for today's standards (10' on average), so it has to be adequately ingested in order to fully enjoy it.
Wow. This was incredible. Loved all of this. So fun and delightful.
JAZZ
The musicianship on this album is incredible; the drumming is so tight, the bass locks into the groove. The keyboard solo 12 mins into Chameleon is excellent.
Good stuff
Each of the tracks has pretty impressive creativity - going from the funky acid bassline over a funky breakbeat on Chameleon to the hectic psychedelic saxophone solo over a perfectly metered cacophony of hand drums, breakbeat drums, and syncopated organ hits on Sly. Then you've got the off-kilter flute melodies on Watermelon and the march like feel on Vein Melter - pretty impressive on a 4 song album.
Fantastic album. Really funky and accessible Jazz.
Just wow
Watermelon man and Chameleon
This is definitely a bit of me. Love the jazz funk fusion, and also whatever the fuck was happening on track two. Best new album of the game so far.
Soulful, funky, fun. Great for a party background.
magnificent
4.75
Great album
Quite odd for the last track off Head Hunters to be called Vein Melter because this album, as a whole, should be called Face Melter. It feels quite appropriate for this to be the breakthrough for Herbie Hancock after a little over a decade of toiling under the likes of Miles Davis and putting out slivers of greatness in between (the Mwandishi albums in particular), for Head Hunters arrived at the right place at the right time. It proved that, no matter how jazz was perceived in the music world back in the 70s, it could still be on the cutting edge and the pinnacle of innovation and evolution. Fifty years later, it's still seen as such.
jazz and good fucking bass with some weird effects. Catchy themes.
8:30 into Chameleon - the synth/keys that join are so nice. Watermelon Man groove is delicious. Sly is my least favourite track, but still pleasant. Vein Melter is a woozy way to end it. 4.6/5
Da funk right here. Keeping this one, it’s like Herbie’s Bitches’ Brew (kinda).
An all time classic of the genre
Truly a classic and a great introduction to jazz fusion. Chameleon and Watermelon Man are so groovy. Easy 5 stars.
Reply good!
Rating: 10/10 Masterpiece. I normally dislike jazz, but this album is something really special. A mix of jazz and funk mostly, it is incredibly groovy, virtuosic, and creative, combining technical ability with fantastic songwriting. Each song feels like a progressive journey and is never for a second boring. The songs are all very long but none of them overstay their welcome, it's truly a pleasure listening to every second of this album. I did not love a part of Sway and Watermelon Man but I loved literally everything else about this album.
star reviews suck
Oh fuck yes!
Funk and groove from the opening track. Great listen.
Classic exploratory jazz
love
Love Jazz, and Herbie is a legend, tho I have never listened until now! It sounds so fresh, even tho it is 50 years old! 28/10/2023
Very fun, poppy, jazzy. Loved this
Perfect for a weird afternoon.
Great album overall, first 3 tracks set the tone for the entire album! Was even better seeing it live in person
Loved it. Love jazz.
Funky, patient, formative
A++ Jazz Funk
Grooves jazz funk soutenus toujours en dialogue avec les différents instruments. De la bonne vibe à l’infini.
Album très impressionnant, mélangeant le jazz, le big band, le funk et l'électro. Très "forward-thinking" et audacieux. J'adore la sonorité étrangement "jungle" de Watermelon Man, qui lentement se construit pour devenir une pièce jazz complexe et nuancée. À écouter avec de bons écouteurs pour en profiter pleinement!!
Expected this to be way more classic Jazz and way less psychedelic then it turned out to be - happy on both accounts. Chameleon starts and ends with the same bass line but everything in between that is straight jazz funk chaos (in the best possible way), so good how they sit you straight back down into the intro bass line (albeit now at a way faster tempo then where you started at 14 minutes ago) to see you out the door. Watermelon Man is particularly excellent, starts off with super dissonant and spooky pan flute (big White Lotus energy), drops in a sweet guitar lick, goes full cruise mode for a while then AGAIN brings you all the way back to the intro, as if the whole middle section's purpose was to explain why the pan flute was at the party in the first place.
Really enjoyed this album. Wasn't sure what to expect, but especially track 1 was great.
10/10 Herbie Hancock has gotta be one of my all-time favorite musicians his interpretation of jazz is so legendary and sets itself apart from all other musicians
Have always loved this album since the first time I heard it at age 19/20. Unforgettable first two tracks. Unsure about track three, but track four is surprisingly beautiful.
The proto EDM of Chameleon makes an initial impact. There’s a jittery, nervous energy to side 1 that I found anxiety inducing. The anxiety is resolved about 2 minutes into Sly at the start of side 2. The two halves complement each other perfectly. It's also got a great album cover. Favourite track: Sly.
Played Chameleon in hs jazz band
There's nothing new to be said about Head Hunters - it's a perfect, groundbreaking album. What impresses me is how easily HH and his ensemble lure you into the jazz-funk world with the build ups. Halfway through a track like 'Sly' you don't even stop and wonder how it all evolved into this funky, polyrhythmic, cacophonic beast.
An unbelievable line-up on an equally unbelievable jazz record. There’s really not a bad second on this legendary piece of work.
Starts catchy and gets better and better from there.
This is some wack prog jazz. Love it.
I've listened to this album at least 100 times. We played Chameleon in high school jazz band and I loved that bass riff so much. My friends hated Watermelon Man when I played it, but I think it's a banger. I like Thrust better, but this is still a masterpiece.
une légende
Amazing funk jazz fusion
Quirky and upbeat. Deep jams, good vibes.
I love this album.
Hot shit that’s good stuff. This is the jazz I want to hear. Hell yes.
Loved this
Excellent album I am familiar with
Great jazz classic, for good reason
Amazing have on cd <3
Brilliant! This album grooves like no other. "Watermelon Man" is one of the great instrumental songs of all time. I just saw Herbie live 5 days ago, and he is still amazing. Closed the show with "Chameleon", and overall was just wonderful. 5/5 One of my favorites
mmmmmmmmmmm jazzy
so good
Un disco increíble
no words are needed. amazing album. full of funky, fresh synthy jazz.
One of those records that immediately transforms you the moment you listen to it. Everything is beautiful, the instruments, the bass tone, the synthesizers and effects, the fucking drums! The level of feelin' is beyond this world. Simply amazing, immediately makes you smile
Most of the "big" albums on this list, I've already heard. This one had somehow passed me by; though I was very aware of the album, I'd never given it a full listen. Wow. I can't believe I missed out on this. I can't tell if it's funky jazz or jazzy funk, but goddamn does it ever slap!
"Head Hunters" is the twelve studio album by American pianist, keyboardist and composer Herbie Hancock. Jazz-funk fusion! Yep, in the highest order, pretty much the defining moment of. Hancock was looking for a new direction from his previous three albums, something lighter. No guitars were used, instead a Hohner Clavinet and funky grooves. Hancock brought in three new musicians (Paul Jackson-bassist, Bill Summers-percussionist, Harvey Mason-drums) alongside saxophonist Bennie Maupin who were collectively known as the Headhunters. The album was a commericial breakthrough for jazz-funk reaching #13 in the US. In 2007, the Library of Congress inducted this album into the National Recording Registry for its artistic significance. "Chameleon" opens the four-track album. A synth bassline, a bass with a guitar riff, drums and a funky groove. There's elements of both jazz and funk here. Weird keys come in sounding like outer space. Halfway through, there's a bass solo then jazzy piano, a dreamy alto sax and back to the initial bassline. "Watermelon Man" is a song reworked from Hancock's hard bop days. Bill Summer's memorable open includes beer bottles, a pennywhistle, shakere and handclaps. The bassline is quite originial and now the keys sound like a guitar. A horn....jazzy. "Sly" is dedicated to Sly Stone. This song is all over the place in a good way. By the way, the pace consistently picks up throughout this song. A more jazzy open. A funky synth. Maupin's sax solo. Hancock's piano solo. The album closer "Vein Melter" is a psalm for a friend's death due to a heroin overdose. It's slower and more jazzy especially with the sax. Keyboards driving the melody with an underlying piano. This album is the perfect mesh of jazz-funk, intimate yet laid back and groovy. There's improvisation, yet structured with the rhythmic structure. It is not only one of, if not the, best fusion album I've heard but also jazz and just overall albums. An album everyone needs to listen to.
What I love about Hancock is that he saw the advent of synthesizers and instead of being a purist about jazz, he recognized its worth and made it work.
Soundscape
So great and important
Wow. 4 tracks at roughly ten minutes each. Serving up some of the smoothest, funkiest grooves I've heard in a long time. I'd heard of Herbie but don't think we have had a chance to listen yet. This was his "essential" album on Apple Music and I can see why. This one is an instant classic for me. Listened again before bed and it’s confined.
Man, the sigh of relief I breathed when I saw this pop up. Herbie, the LEGEND, one of my favorite jazz albums (if you can really call it jazz). It's more of a fusion with funk elements, and that's what makes it so appealing to me. The first two tracks are fantastic. "Watermelon Man" is one of my favorite things ever, that flute or whatever at the core of the track is so memorable. There's a great Rapsody track called "Whoopi" that samples this song, it just made this one even more classic to me. Of course, with only four tracks, there's a lot of time on each to sink your teeth in. The second half of the album isn't as strong, but how could it be? This is a five star, there's no way around it. I'd be surprised if we get another project from Herbie on here, but if anyone's reading this, know that this is also the man who would make "Rockit," which you've probably heard at some point. He's goated. Favorite tracks: Watermelon Man, Chameleon, Sly, Vein Melter (in that order). Album art: Classic, classic, iconic. Fantastic use of color contrast, and what even is on this man's head? It's some kind of robotic head with knob eyes and a meter for a smile. I hope they found the head they were hunting for. 5/5
всё понравилось особенно трек с тревожкой
Very peculiar piece of art, tho might be too long to listen to. It is quite gradual which means the melody develops as we listen to it. Sounding's quite pleasant with jazzy fragments and a spice to it
5*
Oh yeah baby, Jazz from another dimension, quality cererbral pudding for the soul!
One of my favorite albums of all time. Used to play Chameleon and Watermelon Man in jazz band almost every year. We didnt even come close to doing it justice. I also feel like its pretty accessible for those not super well versed in jazz? I dont know how anyone couldnt love it.
Did jazz funk start here or with Miles Davis? Does it really matter. This brough the fusion to the mainstream (and at one time was the best-selling jazz album ever). This was not only jazz, but the emphasis on the groove seamlessly brought in elements of funk, soul, and had an indelible mark on hip-hop decades later. Essential listening.
This was great. Funky, exploratory and fun. This list has been a massive influence on a ton of artists.
When people think of jazz fusion, the first thing that usually pops into their heads is ‘Bitches Brew’ and this. However, where ‘Bitches Brew’ is dense and thick as molasses, ‘Head Hunters’ is funky and accessible. It’s a jazz album with the rhythms of soul, funk, and r&b coursing through its veins, giving it maximum mass appeal, and it still sounds fresh and essential today. As an entry point into the world of jazz fusion it’s a no brainer.
Redefined Funk
Instrumental funk always good
One of the coolest jazz albums of all time and a personal favorite. I should keep this in mind when people ask for recommendations on how to get into jazz. The funky style makes the album very accessible and there are some memorable, catchy hooks. I feel like Herbie Hancock and his band set out to make music that sounded like it was from the future. It still sounds like that decades after its release. When I start new writing projects, I like to assemble a playlist of a few albums that will match the tone and style of what I’m writing. Then whenever I sit down to write, I listen to those albums and it helps me slip back into the project each day. Earlier this year I wrote a wild and experimental animated feature (first time I ever wrote with animation in mind) and “Head Hunters” was on the playlist. It always helped me enter the strange, weird world I was inventing in the script.
Fun, chill, vibed out, funky, future-thinking. Awesome. Best song: Chameleon
I was 10 years old and saw the music video for Rock It... 🤯. I got Future Shock on cassette through one of those mail order clubs (Columbia?). Preteen me was obsessed. All these years, it never occurred to me that there was Herbie Hancock before Future Shock. Tonight, Herbie Hancock blew my mind for a second time in my life. This album is insane and I can't believe Herbie's been grooving and funking like this for two decades earlier than I imagined. 🤯 Oh, and judging this album by the cover, I was gonna play this was soon as I saw it. No need to even know it was Herbie Hancock. That face!
Chameleon and Watermelon Man are two of my all time favorite jazz/funk songs. The final two tracks are forgettable. But half the album is legendary, so this gets 5 stars
15 minute track and it stays fresh? *tasting sound* That's a 10.
Life-changing jazz funk—Watermelon Man is the reason I played/listen to jazz, and without jazz in high school I seriously doubt I would care about music anywhere near as much as I do now Favorite Tracks: Watermelon Man, Chameleon, Sly 4.5-5/5
Great jazz album, Herbie Hancock is a legend
Awesome
Exactly the kind of album I hoped this project would bring me - I did not anticipate enjoying spacey jazz-fusion instrumentals this much but here we are. I loved this slice of weirdness.
Classic funky jazz
1. “Chameleon” 🔥 2. “Watermelon Man” 💎 3. “Sly” 🔥 4. “Vein Melter” 😃 Overall rating: 💎🏆 Classic meter: 💮💮💮💮💮
Jazz funk. 5/5.
As smooth as you like.
This was a really good album and I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. I would give it five stars but the final track is a bit of a downer and wasn't my favorite. Otherwise, I enjoyed this.
Funkadelic!
Un disco de funk-jazz muy bien nivelado. Para ser instrumental y de esa época tiene demasiados detalles constantes e incentivos que hacen que no se pierda la oreja y termines aburriéndote. El juego percutivo de la guitarra y la bateria en sí logran ser vitales para el desarrollo de los solos psicodélicos de un órgano que quien sabe como quedan bien. Este instrumento también le actúa en diferentes ocasiones como percusión y aporta a solo hermosas de saxofón o de algun viento expléndido que es lo que más destaco del disco. La capacidad de experimentar con silencios, sonidos paralelos en los tracks y voces se convierten en arreglos adelantados para la época, como un estilo de pink floyd pero un poco más bajado a tierra. Una escucha muy fructífera en la que magicamente no me cansé en ningón momento de escuchar jazz 9/10.
This is an amazing album. I saw Herbie live, and you already know his encore was playing Chameleon on a keytar.
A funked up jazz fusion trip out
I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Enjoyed the entire thing. Great jazz album.
Dang, this album is funky jazz hotness! As soon as the first track started playing, I stopped what I was doing & started dancing. This fits right in l with my James Brown/Funkadelic/Alice Coltrane playlist. I'm so glad this popped up in the challenge, otherwise I probably would've missed out. I'll be listening to more of his work. 5 enthusiastic stars.
feel like strolling down a road with my button down open (yes, exactly like in spiderman 3)
Sad that Rockit isn't on this album, but Herbie Hancock is a lean, mean, jazz machine who can row my boat any day. This gets 5 stars for Chameleon alone, nearly loses a star for the more bebop parts of Sly, and then gets its star back in Vein Melter.
The vibes are immaculate. Jazz and funk never sounded so good.
Liked it. Previously unknown gem.
Funky. Jazzy. Electronic. I would rate this as a 5/5, even if it is not the kind of album I will be drawn back to. It was unpredictable yet still very melodic.
Landmark recording in jazz/funk. This basically invented the idea of acid jazz, which has become one of my favorite albums. Also interesting that there are no guitars on here, as opposed to many other early fusion/electric jazz/acid jazz projects that were coming out at the time.
5.0 + The opening sequence of "Watermelon Man" that combines vocal yelps and flute, followed by that sneaky bass and, finally, snappy drums - that buildup alone makes this album a classic. The track start to finish is a masterpiece. And, no discussion of this record is complete without noting that bassline on "Chameleon."
LP
Funk and Jazz arrives to blow your head off. The tunes are slick and you can just imagine them soundtracking a life you wish you were cool enough to be living. Fucking ace. Best Tracks: Chameleon; Watermelon Man
Funky, assured with integrity. There's a great vibe going on with this album and it's 50 years old! Enough variety to make it interesting and sooooo smooth. I loved it.
Faultless album. Never gets old.
A lot funkier than I expect fusion to be. I guess that's his style. I had already known the first two tracks but the whole thing is really great. I love his tone on whatever kind of synths he's using. Kind of moog-y
Classic - funky, tasteful, complex but accessible. Anyone can love this album and you're a dork if you don't.
A classic and staple of influential Jazz. A display of impressive musicianship where each song is more dynamic than the next.
Exceptional future jazz
This album is not really what I would listen to normally but objectively it is great. It is sleek, not rough around the edges like most of the stuff from that era. I was shocked when I thought that a song was a bit long and saw that it's been 13 minutes, which passed in an instant. I find Pink Floyd songs of similar length a bit more tedious to listen to, no matter how much I love them
Brutal musicians!
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.
a jewel
Simply one of the best jazz albums ever recorded.
Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Herbie Hancock were all framers of the constitution.
Godly music. Spitfire improv over some of the gnarliest grooves ever concocted. Essential listening for every human being.
wowww that was so good
Herbie Hancock has done some pretty far out things, blending jazz & funk isn't one of 'em. 5/5.
Excellent, groovy, captivating. Really glad to discover it tonight.
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
Melancias homens
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!
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
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!
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.
five stars
Fantastic as always.
Fantastic
Definitely varied and interesting. I dig the dub influence across it.
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
One of a couple perfect jazz/funk records. Could loop it endlessly without issue.
Like Bitches Brew, this is an album that changed jazz forever.
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
Best song: Chameleon Classic jazz with some awesome, funky instrumentals.
Every time I play this it's even better than I remember
iconic jazz
Jazzy, funky sweet goodness. Absolutely phenomenal. Chameleon and Watermelon Men just smoke.
Absolutely xlassix
Funky
I love Herbie Hancock. Amazing groove, amazing artwork. 5 stars!
Funky
Хорошо приятно
Funky smooth and cool
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.
Chameleon, watermelon man, awesome. Great album
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.
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
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
yes. love jazz-funk. the intro sound in watermelon man O.o so fun. so good.
tri massa, típico sonzao instrumental pro cara estudar enquanto curte
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
heyyyyyyyyy, watermelon man!!!!!’ this album is great.
super LP
Pretty much flawless jazz funk. First half is definitely superior, but this entire thing is a staggering work in terms of quality
5/5. Undeniable all-time classic :)
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.
Some smooth funky jazz
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
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
Enjoyed
C'est pour des albums comme ça que je suis ce site Prefs: Chameleon, Watermelon Man, Sly Moins pref: Vein Melter
Irresistible jazz with an electronic edge. Groundbreaking and essential.
God I love music
Jazz Funk Perfection
Its one of the coolest albums ever and needed to be twice as long
Stone cold classic. Loved this album since my teens.
Perfect album
Нетленка Хэрби Хэнкока
Absolute gem.
So fresh. So funky. This album hugger really hits the spot for me
A classic of the genre. This is such a fun and groundbreaking record and I love it
Watermelon man is a classic. Funk-Jazz fusion at its finest.
Gott grúv. Hressandi stöff
Jazz fusion at its finest, perhaps one of the greatest jazz albums period. Chameleon and the rerecording of Watermelon Man are particular highlights
Jazzy and funky. Got really into some of his other stuff after listening to this.
I actually own this on CD and listened the shit out of it back in the day Classic
One of these albums that everyone knows and that is so clearly 5 star that there is not much to say.
One of the key jazz fusion albums of the early '70s. Love the funky and groovy sound, though I slightly prefer Hancock's older work with albums like Empyrean Isles and Maiden Voyage.
Jazzy and awesome
Good vibes. 9/10
absolute mastapiece
Classic banger
Awesome, this music is exactly what I like. Favorite track is Chameleon.
great oldie music almost brackground music
Have listened to this album countless times - own it on vinyl. Jazz classic. Maybe the most Herbie Hancock of Herbie Hancock albums? Chameleon and Watermelon Man obviously carry the album, but side 2 is still groovy.
muy bueno, me sirvió de soundtrack para limpiar la cocina y también para leer
Great Album. Something new for the '70s. Hancock still a leader for new music.
I listen to this album all the time, not even going to lie—might even be my fave Hancock release. Not just a classic, but let’s face it, a stoner classic—gets one’s head right, as it were. I prefer it to a lot of his more experimental 80s fare, pioneering though that may have been.
One of my favorite jazz albums. I still remember hearing watermelon man for the first time in my history of jazz class. Great stuff.
9/17 Jazz Funk masterpiece.
One of my favorite records, and still probably only the third best Herbie Hancock album imo. I have a poster of this art hanging over my keyboard rig. This actually made me thinking about getting a tattoo of that weird yellow mask thing over Herbie's face
Epicly funky from the first second. This is a goddam masterpiece. Love the jazz fusion, love the balance of experimentation and improvisation against catchiness and hooks.
Incredible Psychadlic Groovy as fuck jazz album masterpiece 9.5/10
Okay, hell yes. Chameleon alone makes this fantastic.
great
Funky and fun
In my short experience with Jazz music, there have not been many albums that I have found to be as amusing throughout as this one. Great overall record. 9/10 [KEEP]
Stand-out track: Vein Melter Hard to listen to this one just on its own. It works really well as background music or something to relax to, but if you try to listen to it super deeply with intent, I feel it does become a little repetitive. Certain parts of these tracks shine, but others feel like they just drag on.
4 songs - 41 minutes Jazz-funk and Jazz fusion
buenisimo disco. se disruto
Leads off with some fart synth. Wow
My tired head wasn't really understanding this album when I listen to it for the first times, but just after getting some rest my first reaction was "Damn, this thing is funky and groovy as hell". This album is super fun. I really love the rhythm section from "Chameleon" and "Sly", the most high spirited songs. They have some incredibly funky bass and jazzy drums, both creating a very energetic, infectious and even hypnotic feeling that has my body in non-stop motion. And what's more, the incredibly playful solos from the electric piano and saxophones on top are not only very tasteful but also help keeping my focus on the music. So basically, these two songs end up being an incredibly cheerful and super frenetic jazz-funk fest. The other two songs are a bit more calmed down, yet very interesting on their own. "Watermelon Man", the second song of the album, has some funky lines and great grooves, just like the aforementioned ones, but the rhythm is slower. It is still very fun, and does have some nice details like the tribal sounds, but it doesn't really excite me as much as the other two. The last song ,"Vein Melter", follows a totally different vibe from the others, being centered in being super relaxing and even dreamy. The rhythm is slow, the instruments super smooth and the added synthesized strings (which can be found in the rest of songs as well) add a wonderful touch, making it a very beautiful ending. So overall, I think this album is fantastic, and I hope it helps me understand and like jazz more, as it seems like a great entry point for the genre.
very 2000s comedy movie ending
Great jazz with added funk. A pleasure to listen to.
Wait do I like jazz now??? As a jazz-hater how much I enjoyed this album has shaken me to my core.
Muy weno. Aunque super distinto a lo otro que tiene el artista wtf
So many reactions ... first, just going to the album and seeing how many significant releases he has, I'm reminded of how shallow my knowledge of Hancock's career is. On Chameleon, where they get the funkiness right, and the band is excellent, I'm thinking about how, even when it's good, I'm not sure fusion is really a good idea. Also, the sax player is great, but Herbie's soloing ideas are oddly pedestrian. Is he better as a composer and supporting player than a lead? I don't know. Watermelon Man is interesting, and a reimagining like this is always fun. I don't think it's great, but it's solid. And then -- Sly, with its great combination of funky rhythm and aggressive avant garde soloing makes it all seem different ... fusion Is a good idea. It Can work. But then ... all optimism is washed away by the irredeemably boring Vein Melter. It makes fusion seem like a very, very bad idea. And I'm reminded of how bad the Electric Piano Mind Virus that swept the 1970s was. It infected A Lot of music. Tickling the ivories is one thing. Tinkling the plastics is quite another. Everyone go to your room and think about, etc. Cool album, but ... decidedly a mixed bag.
The highest quality background music I've been given on this generator so far
A funky, smooth journey through the early 70s. I was expecting jazz and got something like a jazz-funk hybrid. Very cool.
accessible jazz meets funk . Great Instrumental album but it doees miss the vocals . Somehow the bridge between jazz,funk, disco and early hip hop or at least break beats/electro
Funky fresh
This is real cool easy listening. Just the kind of thing to put on in the background and tune out. I think Watermelon Man was my favorite of the set, but really it's just four long jazzy songs that are cool, and Herbie Hancock is cool too.
Waaay ahead of its time
Funky fresh album. Reminds me a bit of Chick Corea if he leaned more into the funk side of things. Big fan over here in spotty review world.
This album was great.
What a great time. Listened through about 3 times and loved it. I can’t say I understand musical progressions or music theory or anything that might make this that much more enjoyable, but I had a fun time listening. Mid to high 4 Highs: Sly, the album artwork, the song name Vein Melter Lows: none
Canciones largas que no aburren, logran mantener un jazz constante con ritmos funky y soul. Capas que simplemente desarrollan una propuesta interesante.
Excellent album and bonus points for introducing me to something good 4/5
‘’Next stop, Groove Central " You step off the train in a sea of people and watch as the sunlight ricochets off of the glass towers ahead of you in the distance. The station is large and open, ceilings high with vines intertwined with the pipes that run up the walls, above you and right beneath your feet. The train shuts its doors with a few beeps, and glides off as you begin to make your way toward the exit. Outside, the streets are busy and loud with some kind of activity on every corner. You make out people selling things, some in languages you aren't familiar with and brandishing objects you struggle to make out a purpose for. The buildings are large and host a myriad of vegetation on their windowsills and roofs- not glass, but a light grey concrete that feels warm to the touch. Suddenly, clouds begin to gather, and the sky darkens, turning the glass towers from dreamlike mirrors to icy monoliths. People begin to clear the streets, flocking to shop overhangs and crowding restaurants, as at last, it begins to rain. You duck into a sheltered alleyway as the drops hit your skin, sizzling slightly and leaving you itchy. A set of stairs leading downwards catches your attention as you wipe your hands on your coat, and you decide to head downwards. The underground is dingy and warm. There is a hum of electricity that seeps through your body, and the clear pipes adorning every inch of the city are aglow with neon liquid that flows deeper within the tunnels. It smells like earth and that acidic rain, and you look back to see drops trickling quietly down the staircase you came down. It is mostly empty, save for a few people smoking and talking quietly to one another. They are all dressed in dark colours and fashion unfamiliar to you, making you feel out of place, but they simply eye you without much interest as you pass. Most of the shopfronts are shut with metal guards and are covered with faded posters depicting concerts and events that are layered on top of one another. You keep walking until you find a door ajar, leading to a small room with a bar and a few booths, almost empty save for a few people drinking alone. The pipes cast the room in a purple glow, and the bartender looks up at you and nods. You nod back and walk inside. The room is dark and smells strongly like alcohol, though not unpleasantly. You sit at the bar, and the bartender- a person with three eyes and a bemused expression on her face- slides you a dark drink. You smile and pull out some money, but she shakes her head and leans on the bar, beginning to talk to you about where you came from. The hum of electricity is quieter here, you slowly realise as you talk, and the only noise is your two voices, the quiet breathing of an old aquanid in the corner and the trickle of liquid in the pipes running along the walls behind your new friend. The stools are worn down, but comfortable, and you get the idea they are either well used or very, very old. Two other people come in and wave to the bartender, who excuses herself with a smile and wishes of luck, and walks away from you. Remembering the drink in front of you, you raise the dark brown liquid to your lips and take a sip. It is cold and tastes like a mix of fermented apples and sugarcane, bitter and slightly sweet as you swallow it. The bar begins to get more customers slowly, increasing the volume as a plethora of voices start to work their way into the silence the place had shortly before. No one pays any special attention to you, save for a few glances and whispers, but you decide to get up and leave anyway, pushing your glass towards the back of the bar and dropping some money behind it. As you leave, more people enter and look at you strangely, but you head back towards the stairs you came from. The area outside is busy, and the shops are all open, each either glowing with that same purple hue or yellow with crude electric lamps. You hear laughter and the clink of dishes as the nearby restaurant hits you with the smell of meat sizzling on a grill, and some kind of sweet sauce that makes your mouth water and your stomach growl. You keep walking, weaving your way through a busy crowd, and the thud of music begins to reverberate through the tunnel as you hurry up the steps toward the alleyway you came from. It is dark outside, and the rain has ceased, the remnants of which snake their way down the drains that adorn the sides of the street and sit in small diamonds reflecting light on the leaves climbing across the walls of the neighbouring buildings. The pipes here are too aglow, this time with a green neon-liquid that casts a gentle glow on the people shutting their shops and making their way across the streets, but the main light comes from large electric bulbs that, strangely, triangular fruit seem to grow around, hanging above you somewhat precariously. It is quieter here than down there, but still quite busy, and you join the flow of people. The air is colder and a gentle breeze chills you slightly, given that you had gotten used to the warmth of the underground. The streets are still slightly wet and have small puddles of rainwater you try to avoid to save your shoes when you can, but the ones you do step into feel cold as they splash against your trouser leg. Vegetation sprouts from between the pavement cracks and is clustered near the drains, and a few steps ahead of you, a triangular fruit drops to the ground and bursts, much to the misfortune and grumbles of a few standing nearby who get splashed with the soft flesh. A drop lands on your finger, and instead of wiping it on your trousers, you curiously bring it to your nose to smell it. It smells familiar and sweet, and almost instinctively you bring it to your mouth. It tastes like spiced sugarcane- that same taste in the drink the bartender gave you earlier. You smile to yourself and keep on walking as the taste reminds you of her farewell and wishes of fortune. Moonlight settles comfortably on the glass towers in the distance and the city settles into a slow sigh as the night takes over the streets. In some places, the thud of music can be felt through the floor and stairways leading down lay inconspicuously down unassuming alleyways. The lifeblood of flora city still chugged everywhere you went, regardless, glass pipes filled with neon providing light everywhere, and the variety of oversized vegetation adorning every non- mobile surface. The night is young, and your journey is far from complete, so your thoughts still as you lose yourself in the veins of the city, continuing your walk until the finality of your destination.
Herbie puts the 'fun' in 'funky'. 41 minutes for 4 songs is a lot... this record could've been 20 minutes shorter and still would've been amazing.
Actually banging?? I will be listening to this on my own cause it’s acc so good??
You can easily relax to this, but that doesn’t mean the music lacks substance. Great album. The cover is fantastic and immediately made me more interested in what would be on this.
It's amazing that this album is just 4 songs, each one a long jazz jam session. Very invigorating.
Herbie Hancock's Head Hunters is a seminal jazz-funk masterclass that successfully balances sophisticated improvisation with irresistible groove, much like your track-by-track breakdown highlights. While ambient tracks like "Vein Melter" lean a bit too sleepy and the midsection of "Watermelon Man" loses some steam, the album more than makes up for it with monumental highs. The opening classic "Chameleon" sets a brilliant, hypnotic jazz-fusion tone, while "Sly" stands out as a true triumph—driven by stellar drumming, a flawless interplay of bass, piano, and sax, and an explosive, head-nodding transition that proves the record's enduring brilliance.
Chameleon alone is enough to love this album. It’s synths, jazz, groove, all rolled into one.
Möcket bra!
Fun and funky. Almost always interesting and engaging. Long songs didn’t hurt the album.
Una locura
quente, nos envolve, dá energia, é atemporal. diferente de tudo! 9/10.
I like jazz now??