Reviews (page 9 of 15)
This was cool jazz/fusion. I liked it. It might get a bit too long but it's good.
mir etwas zu jazz-lastig, aber kann man sich zwischendurch mal anhören
Very interesting, watermelon man is my favourite. Not my type of music
What a great funk and jazz album.
Yep. Pretty good. Not quite mind-blowing in 2025 although I bet it was pretty progressive for the time.
Loved the sound and overall vibe but it was a bit too experimental for me
Disco, artista y portada incónicos. Hancock es un referente en múltiples géneros, sobre todo el Jazz pero también en el Funk (aquí por ejemplo), la fusión africana, Post-Bop, electro (Rock it)... ha tocado durante muchos y fructíferos años. Ha hecho de todo y siempre con un innegable sello de calidad. Cuatro años antes había participado con M. Davis en In a silent way, obra referencial del Jazz. NO incluye su mayor éxito: Cantaloupe Island (aún no la había compuesto). Este fue el disco más vendido del jazz en la historia en su momento, razones no le faltan. Si quieren leer una crítica completa, háganlo aquí: https://barroquita.com/2024/02/22/herbie-y-los-cazatalentos-entre-camaleones-sandias-y-mascaras-africanas/. La otra opción es darle al play y disfrutar del álbum.
Awesome use of sounds. Brilliant album!
What would high school jam sessions be like without this album?
One long song that’s a good groove. I was excited to begin with as I marveled at the early funk and its relationship to current popular artists. But by the end I was a little bored. Good use case for this album during a focus session.
Loved the mix of funk and jazz, for 1973 this feels incredibly ahead of its time especially the watermelon man with the quality of the drums.
smooth
This album digs itself to essence of coolness. So cool that it got boring during third track. Despite its technical excellence I cant give more than 3 stars
This kind of fusion always lingers on the edge. I’m not sure I have the stamina to listen all the way through—but this time, I did. And I kind of liked it.
Excellent groove and bounce right from the get go. It's crazy to think this type of music sounds very familiar, even common to my ears, but this is instead the first time it's been brought to mainstream audiences. Towards the end there was a bit too much technical performance type playing, which doesn't gel with the groove in my opinion. Overall I enjoyed this album a lot and I notice I'm not as allergic to jazzy stuff as I was, say 10 years ago.
This album often felt like Bitches Brew-lite, and as someone with quite the disdain for Bitches Brew, that is NOT a compliment. It feels often that nothing is happening for the sake of another part of the song, but rather everyone sounds like they're performing different songs than the other players, and if that isn't happening, its issues lie in just how mellow it is. It doesn't feel like an album to put on while having a drink on a Sunday evening, its too excitable for that, but its not an album for a party environment either, as it can get as slow as sludge, to the point where its hard not to call it "muzak" and nothing more. Usually a chilled out vibe would be something I would appreciate for the breather it provides, but on this album it just feels like too much of a 180° to be relaxing, and instead has the listener going from zero to 100 back to zero, giving one whiplash more than anything. There are parts to enjoy, as everyone is at the top of their game performance wise, and it also sounds quite ahead of its time for 1973, giving it a futuristic tone that rival the coming synth-heavy instrumentation of the late 70s. It just feels too much and too little, and I either have little time to process it musically, or little reason to care. I can see its revolutionary style, it wears it on its sleeve with that slick album cover, but this does nothing for me musically but annoy.
This is incredibly annoying. 2 stars or D-.
Seminal and enjoyable on all accounts, not just for jazz-heads. Proficient (to say the very least) playing backed a lot of soul. Head Hunters offers slow-burn groove-fest jams as well as absolutely fiery fusion. At least half of the tracks here have become jazz standards, deservingly so. If this album interests you at all, definitely check out every album Herbie released from 1969 through the latter portion of the 70’s. Funky fusion for a lifetime.
I get it... This is Herbie Hancock, my absolute hero from Simple Minds - Hunter and the Hunted. And then this record is meandering, jazzy (the bad kind), musical misdirection. To an exception I can also credit this record for a Beck swipe on 'Cellphones Dead' for 'Chameleon.' - One by one...
Never a dull moment with Herbie Hancock
Awwwww yeaaaaaah baby, groooooooovy
That's was some aggressive jazz
Really cool jazz fusion album. Funky as hell, jazzy as heck. I enjoyed this one quite a bit. Also, badass album artwork.
3.5 stars. Wish it ended as strong as it started. Man, the funk really elevates what normally doesn’t do it for me.
Bängäs
One of the instrumental albums that I like the most, from the first second you can recognize that it is Herbie Hancock, I dare say that it is his best album.
Absolutely no notes. Flippin slaps. Right down to the album art. Turned off whatever wuss rock I was listening to and immediately laid on some Herbie. Seeing this rated highly really soothes my soul. I love that the most popular one star review guy got this and then immediately gave up on music; blew it!
Funk, Jazz
Herbie Hancock has had a long and storied career with so many cresting waves that it’s hard to name any one time as the peak but 1973-1976 was undeniably special. Head Hunters (an album so great that the band he formed for it went on to their own successful career), documents Hancock at the forefront of another rising tide. But not just part of that wave, he helped point the way. This music is supple and propulsive. No doubt, that motion comes from one of the tightest rhythm sections in jazz fusion. Paul Jackson’s basslines are the atomic essence of groove, endlessly elastic, kinetic and hypnotic. Harvey Mason’s drumming is as deep in the pocket as the Mariana Trench, keeping everything simmering just below a boil. Hancock’s clavinet and synth work surfs right on top, playful, slinky and memorable. Popular music genres have been crossing streams since the day anyone put a boundary up. Hancock knew jazz was at its best when electrifying and accretive — absorbing funk, soul, pop and rock. Head Hunters fused it into something smooth, funky and fully locked-in.
Used to be obsessed with watermelon when I was 17 Such a sick album I luv
2.5/5 - Nice, but wouldn’t listen again (except to the part I mention below) Standout (part of a) track: - 8:34-13:21 of Chameleon (4.5/5)
The album was not bad per se, but I doubt it is something I will listen to again.
As far as Jazz Fusion goes, the funk that this album brings sets it apart from others in Hancock's "Mwandishi" sextet album run. It is lighter, and more inviting to the average listener and that's not a bad thing. As a result, we are left with the iconic 'Watermelon Man' track as a standout, but an album that asks the user to continue to explore Hancock's collection as a great "entry-point" for his deep and varied discography.
One of my favorites. I really respect Herbie for going in this direction.
just some absolutely awesome stuff
Loved it.
2.5. Great musicianship and tones, but a bit of a boring listen.
I know this is jazz, but I actually kind of like it (see Darren, anything can happen!)
Good stuff from a legend. Like the original watermelon man better though ;)
Ahh.. the album that made me an insufferable jazz nerd in high school. Need I say more?
Easily my favorite Jazz album! It's just so funky and groovy that it's impossible to have a bad time while listening. That bass tone is legendary. I also love how slow they start playing Chameleon and then by the end of the song they are grooving so hard it's like 25-50 BPM faster then when they started. High 5.
Jazz for people who dont like jazz
Funky, great musicians but not my usual cup of tea.
I knew Chameleon going in (thanks Jae), but dang, this is fun*ky*
Jazz funk, but enough funk to dilute the jazz :) Letting this play all the way through for a second time. Great stuff.
Having only really heard Rock It before going into this album, I didn't know what to really expect - and not only is this REALLY different to that, it's also REALLY good! I love, love, LOVE this album - it's a masterclass in groove and staying in the pocket, with tracks ranging from funk to jazz to almost ambient, and stays just as long as it needs to, I'm kind of obsessed with it. Chameleon is now on my 'get founder's playlist, and I'm honestly looking forward to listening to this again and again.
4 songs, 40 minutes. Surprisingly refreshing and energising. 8/10
solid jazz
Good jazz album. It’s kinda 70s funk/jazz blend feel. 1001 album worthy: Yes - 50/90
hmm why do people like this
Grooves. All grooves.
A jazz classic....beautiful stuff
mhmmm i love me some cock fav: chameleon
The funkiest 40 minutes you'll spend. I don't really enjoy the overarching flute theme of Watermelon man, but it's hard to argue that it doesn't turn into something interesting.
Herby Hancock man, that’s one groovy motherfucker. Had a blast revisiting this one. Short and sweet and will get you dancing no matter what. Top stuff.
Time to get freaky - this is the antidote to all the nerdy, stuffy, boring, pointless, clean wankery played by white guys and called fusion. Herbie and the Headhunters are blasting off somewhere, and you are very much so taken along for the ride - even if the journey does lose direction here and there. Great tones and production, massive hooks and a tight rhythm section delivering an incredible groove throughout - this is an album where rhythm doesn't play a supporting role, but gives the whole thing life. The solos and harmonic explorations aren't memorable but also never detract from the mood. Favourite tracks: the riff in Chameleon, the middle of Watermelon Man, the groove in Sly
zorp like sounds/// LET'S GOOOOOOOO (скучно пиздец на самом деле, но не плохо, 3/5)
Funky and mad
Cooler than you. Four stars.
It's good. Nice funky jazz sound that's perfect for studying
This is an album that you need to be in a very specific mood for. Id say it was alright, and although this album is iconic, the length of the songs are a lot longer then I'd like. Some songs did do a good job at switching something up mid song, mainly the first 2 songs, while others just kept it the same for 10 minutes straight. Overall, I didn't love the listen, I just liked it. 3.25 Favorite Song: Chameleon Least Favorite: Vein Melter
Hell yeah, bud. Electric jazz? Music to make dinner to
I am very familiar with the song "Chameleon" because of Joey. I enjoyed this album as a whole. I like this style of jazz it seems. Loved the keyboard part in "Sly."
Didn’t care for it
As someone who is very interested in the development of electronic music I'm so glad to have heard this meld of synth and jazz!
Very funky and accessible jazz. Chameleon is an epic track, Watermelon Man is also fantastic and Sly is pretty great too. I didn't enjoy Vein Melter quite as much but I'm still giving this a 5 because the rest of the album already earned it.
I have enjoyed jazz more recently … and this is nice enough .. it didn’t really keep my attention and I think I prefer smoother stuff or some fusions for now , glad to have heard it though
5 for the sentiment I have with this. Always will remind me of how proud I was listening to my son drumming Watermelon Man at his first public appearance. I am biased.
herbie is yet another big influence in my music taste, i love most every thing he's put out in his lifetime, and this iconic album is no exception. it's probably one of his best, if not the best. very stylish and very funky, this album is essential to the world of jazz fusion, blending standard jazz rides and lines with VERY crazy keyboard solos and maybe the occasional african influence or two. there's probably studies about music that stimulates the brain in a positive way... this is certainly an example of that. only 4 large tracks on this one.
Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock is a phenomenal jazz-funk album that sounds incredibly ahead of its time. With its heavy use of synths and groove-driven compositions, it feels more like a late-'70s record than something from 1973. The production is excellent, and while some tracks can feel a bit long for those not used to jazz, the album remains highly accessible compared to more complex jazz works. Its blend of funk, fusion, and jazz makes it a timeless listen. I had the chance to see Hancock live in Helsinki in 2023, and even in his 80s, his energy was amazing. Head Hunters is a must-hear for anyone exploring jazz or funk.
funky
Interesting but not really my thing!
i always put off hearing this album but i'm soooo glad i finally gave it a listen Chameleon - 5/5 (a bit long but really good, was far from bored) Watermelon Man - 5/5 (i have no words this shit was just pure 🔥🔥🔥from beginning to end) Sly - 5/5 (another long but good one) Vein Melter - 3/5 (real slow and chill, sounds like music to sneak around at night to) this album really changed my perspective on jazz 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
funky, groovy, amazing instrumentation and soloing, tight, amazing keyboard playing, incredible sax, nasty hooks on watermelon man, nice drumming to accommodate the mesmerising passages 10/10
It was silly and I had a lot of fun
Cool grooves, unique. Glad to listen to something that would have otherwise passed me by
I feel cooler for having listened to this
Silly name. Great songs. Wish I knew more about funk to understand the influence of this.
Heart palpitation inducing shit!
Has anyone ever tagged Herbie as the Godfather of Groove? If they haven’t they should. This was 1973 for goodness sake…1973! Groundbreaking & excellent.
Phenomenal stuff, Edgy but not rough Bassline that slaps Under the smooth I collapse A seminal album from a seminal year 5 stars, no fear
spacious
Un álbum muy bueno, excelente introducción al jazz para gente menos sofisticada, como yo. Me da un poco vibes de banda sonora del SimCity. La primera mitad es muy funky, la segunda bastante más lenta, rollo new age. Si el álbum completo hubiera sido como la primera mitad, le hubiera dado más nota. Aun así, un álbum que definitivamente merece estar en la lista y un gran descubrimiento.
Nioce
Groovy and funky.
2/6/25. Incredible jazz fusion by Herbie. Great musicianship and awesome sounds, all timer for me.
Cool
Extremely groovy, really chill. Wouldn't add it to my personal playlist, but it made me pass an excellent time while working.
Light-decent 9
This is going to be on heavy rotation during nightly Indica hours ~ especially WATERMELON MAN.
This is certainly an album
Love me some instrumental albums
Fun timing from hearing him at the Grammys. Fun funky album
we want the funk
Pretty cool!
Pretty cool. And Beck ripped off his baseline.!!!
I really enjoyed this jazz fusion stuff.
Some good stuff, some boring stuff.
I appreciate what this album is trying to do, but the style is not for me
Pretty dang funky
jazz-funk... need i say more? 14/100
Love some bass lines in there.
Listenable but not really my thing.
This was dope, Watermelon Man & Chameleon are classics, but the following two tracks are solid too. All felt very different but felt tied in together. It feels 70s with the clavinet, and it's definitely jazzy and funky. Drummer and bass were killing it, and keys/synth are the cherries on top. Plus there's just so many weird little accents throughout every song to keep it interesting.
This is a 2 that goes on forever with nothing really happening if you are just sitting and listening to it full focus, but a 4 as background music with some wine making dinner.
A delightfully weird little album. Not sure if this is jazz or funk, but I enjoyed it. Maybe a splash of prog towards the end??? Would have been even better with fat doobie, instead of sitting behind my work computer, but so it goes.
Hell yes. This is the kind of funky groovy jazz I can vibe with. 'Watermelon Man' is such a cool song. Unfortunately another album that suffers by the track order. 'Vein Melter' is such a letdown to close out the album after the first 3 tracks. Looking at the track times, it looks like it could ONLY be track 3 or 4. Would have loved it to be the first track - damn outdated technology.
Started out super funky, which ruled! Thrn it went all jazz, which ruled less. It was probably very novel and inspiring, but jazz isn't really my genre at all. Still pretty good though.
Neljä ylipitkää kappaletta. Mutta hyvää musisointia.
GROOVY ASF but not the biggest instrumental girl so it faded 2 the background after a while!! Update: I just keep going back 2 it it’s amazing and funky and danceable and odd AND STRANGE BUT SO EXPERIMENTAL & COOL!
Maybe that’s part of the intent, but it’a hard to take this ”seriously” - there’s just something unserious about the sound. (And no, it’s not because it’s funky, which is usually ”fun” and not necessarily comedic.)
Funky and cool
Day 86 - Jan 31st, 2025 RAAAAAH SMOOTH JAZZ 4/5
Goes down easy, vibes vibes vibes
Sooo, I really want to give this a 3.5z I liked it but I didn’t love it, it just went on a bit too long at times. Cool vibes though and great musicianship
groovy
++: Chameleon, Watermelon Man, Sly, Vein Melter 9,7/10
One of the best albums of all time.
Not really a fan. Prefer classic jazz. However, I can see why it was a groundbreaking album at the time.
Groovy! Will re-listen for sure.
I listened to this 3 times back-to-back and don't remember a note of it after the first track. I only 'woke up' when Spotify started playing its suggested tracks after the akbum finished. It's vey pleasant, but entirely forgettable.
good stuff, nice to listen to
4 jazz funk greats. 4/5
This is the type of album you just play on repeat for maximum focus. I love every second. Chameleon is such a strong opener and each of the 3 tracks that follow don't let up for a second. Great blend, great performances, great variety, and a damn great record.
It would be a classic with just Chameleon and Watermelon Man. The fact that the other half is here and is really good too is just icing on the cake. The snare that drives the lumbering Vein Melter caught my attention so much I had to play it again to listen to the other instruments.
Awesome jazz fusion
point5.
Very creative album, like a fusion of jazz, funk, soul and more. Very experimental, it must have been groundbreaking when it was released
4 songs of pure stank. Meant to be played loud!
Would trip to this great jazz vibes 10/10
Not my favorite genre, but I do have an appreciation for Herbie's talents. This is good background music for doing tasks around the house or coding on the computer.
It kinda just turns into background music after a few minutes, but I will say Sly playing in the background as I’m late and racing to work was an experience
This album is definitely a “where have you been all my life” album. It’s a psychedelic funk album…. What’s more to say? It’s fucking awesome and your wasting time by not listening to it right now!
Funky, groovy, jazzy. "Sly" got a bit overwhelming/uncomfortable, but just about any good jazz will do that to me. Solid 20 minute start to this album, no notes, just vibes.
Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters is a genre-defining blend of synth funk, jazz, and tribal influences, creating grooves that are both cool and meticulously crafted. The album’s opener, Chameleon, draws you in with its layered progression and irresistible funk, while Watermelon Man stands out with its tribal intro and playful refrains, keeping you hooked and slightly disoriented in the best way. Tracks like Sly showcase electrifying solos that blur the line between chaos and groove. The album's four extended tracks are masterfully composed, but some feel a bit lengthy or too similar, occasionally losing momentum. That said, it excels at creating an immersive experience, hitting a subtle yet deeply engaging vibe. Listening to this album on the day my uncle passed away offered a much-needed distraction, filling my crowded mind with jazzy, wordless vibes that helped me breathe. While not perfect, Head Hunters remains an innovative and timeless work of jazz-funk fusion.
很棒啊
Not a jazz fan at all, but this is funky and groovy as hell
Am I really going to listen to this? I've been subjected to plenty of HH and he's brilliant and spectacular and he plays the sort of music I like the least. Listened to the whole thing - still don't like it.
This is one of my top 20 favorite albums of all time. Totally deserves a spot on this list
Its fun.
Diabolically groovy. Big 4.5
What a game changer! The premier jazz-rock-funk album. This is where it all started.
It was decent fun. Watermelon Man was definitely the big takeaway for me. My favorite tv soundtrack in recent times is the White Lotus soundtrack. As soon as Watermelon Man starts, it is clear what served as inspiration for that soundtrack (even though this was 50 years before the show). Rating: 3.9
An all time classic, absolutely a tent pole of jazz funk fusion.
Desert island selection. One of those records where every note feels celestially preordained. Herbie Hancock is an American treasure, though people like me who first encountered him when "Rockit" became a hit may understandably require some convincing (BTW that has aged better than you might have guessed). The problem with records like this is what they spawned in terms of horribly inferior imitators. Definitely should have come with a DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME warning label for other musicians who picked it up.
(a) I love the album cover. (b) I think I like the concept of enjoying Herbie Hancock more than I've actually listened to much of his stuff (I *do* own a Herbie Hancock album, but from much later, and ironically a it's a tribute album to Joni Mitchell of all people). (c) I enjoyed this album, and especially the range of styles in it, although as with other instrumental albums it's often hard to keep the music in the foreground of what I'm doing as I listen. I particularly enjoyed the opening track "Chameleon"--it felt like a kind of kindred spirit to Jeff Beck's "Blow by Blow" album (or perhaps Beck's inspiration), except focusing on keyboards rather than guitar ("Vein Melter" also made me think of the more subdued tracks on "Blow by Blow"). I was also impressed at how he managed to avoid a sort of world-music vibe on "Watermelon man" despite the very obvious African work/rhythm overlay. And "Sly" seems to somehow stay very original while still paying homage to Sly Stone. I can definitely see why this album was included, and it makes me want to hear more of both the Headhunters iteration but also his earlier "Mwandishi" sextet (although I suspect the latter might be too experimental for me, sadly).
So happy to have gotten this today--the perfect antidote to the Morrissey pick earlier. I love how laid back this album is with the funk touches keeping it from being too cool. Every musician shines unobtrusively yet brilliantly.
I listened to this while making dinner so it all sort of smooshed into each other and I didn't know where one song ended and another started. It was good background music, but nothing life changing. I would listen again and enjoy it, but it could have been many other things.
I'm all for 10 minute long songs but you need to have lots to say and I found myself losing interest. Songs definitely have good moments but also some bad moments when it just feels like "wankery" (that's when you are just fucking around with your instruments without laying down anything sensational). Overall, I like the groove of the songs. Watermelon Man has a cool world music feel. Vein Melter is a great song to get high, sit back and relax to.
This is pretty funky and groovy. Long instrumental songs can be a lot to digest, but they mix the sound up enough that the lengths are tolerable. However, coming off of a long Shaft soundtrack yesterday is making me a tad less tolerant. Need to compartmentalize here though! Really liked the funk of Chameleon, it was my fave of the album. The wooden flute in Watermelon Man is cool too, and I can get down with the piano jams in Sly. Vein Melter got slow and I was kinda over it at that point. Overall, I dig the vibe and the jams, but this isn't really the type of music that moves my soul.
Hell yeah… This slaps, super groovy and funky. As the record goes on, does it get a bit too long and slightly tiring to kisten to? Probably, tough pick between 4 and 5 stars
short track list, long trip, very fun journey
"It was a stone groove, my man" Standouts: The 15min-long "Chameleon" and "Watermelon Man"
A fun and saxy time!
People used to dance to jazz. At the start of the twentieth century the nascent genre was born, and by the 1930s jazz was dominating airwaves and dance floors during the swing era, so called for the music’s rhythmic trait and the dance style it inspired. Jazz abruptly shifted out of the spotlight as popular music moved on to other budding genres including R&B and rock, and it was around this time that jazz permanently shifted its gaze inward, becoming less focused on inspiring corporeal reactions from its listeners on a dance floor and instead setting its sights on cerebral pursuits including technical expertise, experimentation, and improvisational prowess, making the music more complex and intentionally unpredictable — ultimately making it less approachable as it aged. By the early 70s Herbie Hancock was over a decade into his career, and he was determined to return jazz to the dance floor. During those first ten years Herbie made significant contributions to the growing catalog of jazz standards, scored, conducted, and performed three major motion picture soundtracks, and spent years as an integral member in a few of Miles Davis’ consequential bands of the late 60s. But the headier territory jazz was entrenched in frustrated Herbie. The three albums leading up to Head Hunters made with his Mwandishi band from ‘70-‘73 were arguably in this vein: while the music of that period was the most visceral and raw of his career (Sextant is another classic album of his), and the virtuosity and synchronicity of the band was undeniably on display during live shows at the time — these albums built on the spaced-out fusion aesthetic that bloomed after Miles Davis’ landmark fusion records Bitches Brew (1970) and In A Silent Way (1969), the latter of which featured Herbie on the Fender Rhodes. Jazz had become pretentiously self-indulgent during fusion’s rise, and was in desperate need of a fresh approach. The late 60s/early 70s was a revolutionary time for most musical genres. Herbie was a fan of all kinds of music, and Sly & The Family Stone was a particularly favorite band of his. Sly’s psychedelic spin on James Brown’s funk expanded that genre, and Herbie wondered whether he could intertwine jazz and funk in a similar fashion — and by doing so bring jazz back into the popular music fold, something young hip folks put on at parties and danced to, and that DJs played on popular radio. And so Herbie conceived an approach and assembled a band, the Headhunters. Their eponymous debut record changed jazz forever. It reached No. 13 on the Billboard charts and eventually went platinum, and it is the second-best selling jazz record of all time — it’s also worth noting that Herbie and Miles hold 5 places on that top 10 best seller list. The forty minute, four-track Head Hunters is stylistically and technically impressive, bursting with joyful funky energy every second of its run time. Every member of the Headhunters is firing on all cylinders, all aces on their respective instruments. The album is dominated by the rhythm section, and the grooves that come out of their collective pocket are so infectious. The record is propelled by Harvey Mason’s incredibly funky patterns. James Brown’s drummers Clyde Stubbeldield and John Starks are rightfully considered the greatest funk drummers of all time, but had Mason dedicated to playing how he did on this record his whole career he would’ve easily snatched that title from their deserving, time-keeping heads. Most of the record Mason is restrained, deceptively simple in his execution, but firmly locked into patterns that are so pleasantly off beat, a skill he honed playing a wide array of genres as one of the standout session drummers in the entire music business who backed countless jazz and rock stars during that era. With support from Paul Jackson on bass and Bill Summers on percussion (and famously on half-full beer bottle for the whistling riff that opens ‘Watermelon Man’), the rhythm section was firmly rooted in place allowing Hancock to express his unique sense of modalities and melodies using an assortment of electronic keys and synths. Head Hunters overachieved its aims, energizing a genre that had grown stuffy and intellectual, and propelling him even further ahead of his peers; Herbie was a jazz virtuoso with enough accolades to fill multiple careers at the time this album was released, and Head Hunters turned him into a pop star. Herbie remained fixed on that upward trajectory and continued to merge jazz with popular music trends decade after decade, consistently chipping away at the exterior of jazz music until a new form is born.
This album was pretty epic! The first song was probably my favorite and the second one while it had some highlights was my “least favorite”. This is more for my own memory but I listened this album at least 3 times while tanking WC for the first time on wow hardcore and no one died even though the healer dc’ed on the first pull and I almost died. Less than 20 hp. I will definitely check more out from this artist!
1.8 It sounded interesting for a while... May need to reconsider this review a few years from now.
A true funk masterpiece!
Much flute, much meme potential, much DU DU. DUDUDUDUDU.
Very fun album. The first track is a bit long with the same rhythm part through most of the song.
Good if in the right mood. Prob good for in te car
Wouldn't normally be my cuppa but this had me grooving on a Monday morning. Now wondering if I can making liking jazz my entire personality
I enjoyed some of the funk and grooves to this album, but I'm ultimately more of a lyric and personality-focused person when it comes to investing in an artist. While I found it pleasant enough, it became background soundtrack music to me - especially the latter half. I felt a bit like Emma Stone in La La Land when Ryan Gosling is trying to explain jazz music to her and it ultimately flies over her head. I get it's good, I just realistically won't ever go back to this unless I need background coffee music. Sorry! 2.5/5
Groovy baby Even I managed to succumb to the funk of this album.
Chameleon goes on far too long, and should have started from the second half. Watermelon man does better both in sound and length. The following tracks are less inspirational, but a welcome change in tone and tempo. Overall, I regret to say, that although I once enjoyed the first two tracks, I now find myself feeling like I was "on hold" for the council, and was increasingly aware of how long they'd had me on hold, wondering whether I should put myself out of misery and call back tomorrow. Maybe more indicative of my grown impatience than anything else.
I can imagine this would have been great fun live. Thought it started stronger than it finished.
The huge drop off in Spotify listens between the first 2 songs and the last 2 songs really amused me. Overall, I thought it was a pretty stunning album. Chameleon, Watermelon Man and Sly are all incredible. I was fairly meh on the last song, but came round to it on repeated listens. I'm still not sure how I feel about it as the albums closer though? I both like the way the funk slowly fizzles out of the album as it goes along, but the end isn't representative enough of the album as a whole, so i’m always left in a weird mood when it’s done. I may have preferred it if Sly and Vein Melter were switched round.
3.5/10 This started off promisingly - squelching funky keyboard, good vibes. But it soon descended into the type of jazz that I just don’t get along with. Really, really not for me, this would be a one star if not for the funk fusion elements Best: Watermelon Man
While I enjoy it for a little, and it is interesting, it’s just not the kind of music that I listen to more than once. With that being said, I think I can hear the genius in it and can appreciate what he did. If I could give it a 3.5, I would. Instead, I will round up because I think this deserves it.
so good - first time listening to the whole album tho
Got about 5 seconds into Chameleon and instantly knew it was gonna be a banger. I’m really surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. Album cover is cool.
I never realised all the samplers in the 90s only owned one album
It's Herbie Handcock, not John Handcock
Just okay sly was nice
Very funky and fun. Bass player is amazing. Length of the songs is a little much for me as it eventually just turns to background noise.
Ca zouke un peu mais les solos de jazz c'est décidément un poil relou
Jakas ogolna zamulka i w ogole mnie to nie porywa. Chyba mam ogokne znuzenie sluchania muzyki.
9/10
Groovy modern like jazz that was nice to listen to while working.
So good. a jazz-funk masterpiece and those synth bass lines just heralded a new era.
Just sort of noise, though not terrible noise.
In my opinion not one of the greatest albums of Hancock but still great music.
No es lo mío, fue un poco largo para mí gusto. Aunque me veo volviendo a Vein melter en el futuro.
This is the good stuff.
Jazz Best song: Chameleon
É bom mas me deu uma bad trip depois de um certo tempo
Chameleon - It took me about three minutes in to realize that my High School Jazz Band had played this song last year. The drumming beats and rhythms paired with the keyboards make this such an enjoyable and fun listen. Watermelon Man - Keyboards, tambourine and guitars are a pleasure to listen to. Who ever told the wind instruments to come in towards the final 45 seconds is a genius. Sly - The saxophone goes absolutely nuts, the frantic but controlled drumming adds so much to the background. Along with that just the ACCENTS from the drums, light ride-bell hits, tom-tom smacks in appropriate spots. The entire track is just a vibe. Vein Melter - Chilled out track to finish out this album. The strings are a nice addition to the now established formula of keyboards and drums.
- A vibe at first, but then a bit long
groovy as hell
I can appreciate it, but it isn't really my cup of tea.
One of my earliest exposures to jazz, love at first sight
Not something I'll revisit, but fun record
Favorite Track: Chameleon
Synth funk with jazz and tribal roots? More please. This presented unexpected vibes as I had only heard of this artist and never took the plunge until the suggestion. The first track was worth the distraction from a bisy day. Now, I will have to explore this groups other works. The 2nd track had a tribal start that shifted into funk, then to jazz and the progressions were natural and not forced. Good variety in the solos. These were all saved for future plays on car rides.
-Probably also around a 7/10 for me with high highs and lower lows than David Bowie - Aladdin Sane before this (see below). - It´s cool to have this as my second random album of 1001 after having known Rockit through my dad - I think it´s a synthesizer on the first song and I have heard Hancock is known as a pioneer in that area, crazy for the 1970s -VERYYY jazzy and smooth, great for listening in the background -LONG songs, might be some of my longest in the collection, I thought Chameleon ended halfway through for a second lol -Some parts remind me of the Persona videogame series soundtrack, although I am certain it is the other way around XD -I loved Chameleon, Watermelon Man wasn´t for me -Sly was ok but I prefer Veign Melters bassline -REVIEW FOR PAST ALBUM December 30th 2024 (Start): Only because I missed it there I wanted to add that I generally enjoyed David Bowies Aladdin Sane, it felt like the right length and a good mx. Time has a great message (which could also be linked forward to Persona 5s loading screen lmaooo), Panic In Detroit and The Jean Genies (country-rock idk?) vibe are great! Might be a 7/10 for me.
Love me some Herbie Hancock. Used to listen to this album regularly in college. 30 years later, it still holds up.
I like the album cover of this one. By the artist name, I could imagine that Buster would like this album. Amazing album. very jammy. Must be amazing to see live.
This is another that is not for me. I just don't like the funk. It's not a bad album, and I did appreciate parts of it and never found myself hating it, but I have no interest going back to it. I'm glad it didn't go too long, though, which keeps it at a 3 for me instead of lower.
Not up for jazz. All bleeds together. 2/5
Did Herbie define the disco sound? Amazing to listen to today, 50 years later.
Amazing new find here! What a great mix of funk and jazz that never fails to be entertaining and exciting.
This was fine, but felt like a really slow way to start the day.
I enjoyed it. It's the kind of jazz I tend to like.
Jazzy, funky, synthy and all that good stuff!
Listens to this sporadically while visiting parents at Christmas. Would probably hit different if I could’ve listened to it all in one go. Still liked it. But possibly could love it if I return to it. 4/5
Solid Lofi type music. Very forgettable though. 3/5
Well, isn't this a charming jazz and funk instrumental record! Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock was smooth and creative and kept me on my toes. It flowed beautifully, and I wasn't upset to listen again. Head Hunters felt fresh to my 2024 ears--and I can't believe this album cover was giving Deadmau5 in 1973!
I know very little about Herbie Hancock, but based on what I do know, this is unexpected territory for him to be dabbling him. Perhaps more expected, there is a high degree of jazz improvisation occurring here as well. Not one bit do I deny Herbie's impact on jazz music, or music as a whole. But this music was just not my thing.
Fusion,
Coincidentally heard this like 2 days ago lmao. Loved this, love the Herbie Hancock sound. You’d be hard pressed to find a Herbie Hancock album or, hell, a song I won’t like.
Initial thought: Oh no. 1973? Strike one. Jazz? Strike two. Sigh. Let’s get to it. Actually, it’s pretty damned good. Turns out maybe I just don’t like trumpet jazz? Or maybe this is just cream of the crop. Either way, pleasantly surprised, and a solid 3.5. It got a little weird in spots. Not cool weird, but cringey 70s weird. That keeps it from a 4, but overall it’s nice.
As smooth as it gets
This album, and I'd say Herbie Hancock in general, is one of the few that's mastered the art of being really really cool. The music here resonates with the listener not on a spiritual, emotional, or even visceral level - but on a level that's very subdued, not in plain sight but still strongly present...a "bass" level. Each percussive element, drum fill, key hit, bassline, and sax note is sequenced meticulously to ensure that these relentless grooves can go, at times, completely off the rails. This aspect can lead to something undeniably tight and groovy like on the faster vicious saxophone and key solo passages of 'Sly'. Or it can lead to something satisfying like that cute refrain on 'Watermelon Man' that uses space effectively enough to keep the listener slightly disoriented, constantly guessing, but hooked all the same. That key hit acting as an almost starters-pistol for this one particular passage is great... In general, I'd say 'Watermelon Man' is my favorite track here - it's just such an iconic piece of jazz, especially given its bottle flute opening. 'Chameleon' is another song that's just cool - an iconic and funky bassline is at the core of this one, and while it stays in that very repetitive place for a good chunk of the song, it eventually evolves into something unrecognizable with those keys and synth, becoming warmer and more elegant as the track blooms and opens up. Elegance is also the name of the game on the closer 'Vein Melter', especially in those closing minutes. It's easily the least "aggressive" song here and serves to send off an otherwise explosive album. Very few albums land in this unique space between electronic, jazz, and funk music. Because of that, I'd argue that this album lacks a strong "musical" identity, at least in the traditional sense...that's to say it's very eclectic in its styles and transitions. But there's a kick here, one you get from very few albums, a sense of satisfaction that's difficult to pin down, but is made clear as day when actually listening.
Perfect by the pool, and encourages a deeper exploration into Herbie’s career. I’m not sure this music will ever be the mood for me … but it certainly helps contribute to one.
Det var ikke helt min kop te, dog var det et stykke musik som man ville kunne dykke ind i hvis man havde mere styr på musik komposition. Det har jeg ikke endu. Jeg ville geren lytte til det igen, måske bare en af sangene, de var lidt lange hvilket gjorde at jeg let tabte opmærksomhed på musikken da den var ganske monoton.
Good.
It's a cleverly worked album but just not my genre so I struggled to listen to the whole thing. I'm a great admirer of Hancock though but just not this album
This was a fantastic album, a brilliant blend of jazz and funk with some amazing synth playing. Chameleon was an absolute bop - That bassline is infectiously good, and while some long songs have a tendency to overstay their welcome, I didn't feel this at all. In fact, it didn't feel like a 15 minute song at all, I guess just because of how fun it was to listen to. My one nitpick of the song is I wish it had an ending rather than a fade-out. Maybe they are still jamming out to this day... Watermelon Man was cool, I thought the bottle-blowing was neat, and it goes into a super-cool funky beat. I like the various changes in energy throughout Sly - It starts out quite chilled and funky and then explodes with this crazy jazzy energy, then returns to those chilled funk vibes at the end. Vein Melter closed the record off very nicely with a nice and more laid-back chilled sound. Overall, this whole album was jazzy, funky, groovy and just brilliant. I'll come back to this one. Favourite: Chameleon
Occasional good bits with a good groove, but a lot of it was a struggle to listen to
I appreciated the musicianship but not always the music. Any 30 second span in isolation was amazing. Strung together, I was ready for the album to be over.
I am by no means a funk or jazz aficionado but at first listen, I am intrigued by the jazz-funk fusion going on here. Overall this was an excellent album, my daughter has played a version if Watermelon Man with the jazz band at her school so I was fairly familiar with that piece. I’m going to go all the way to 4 stars here because I liked this much more than I expected.
Now here's something excellent to start a week out with. No issues with this one, it's been a staple in my collection since college. Love the funk bass and drums mixed in with that early 70's electric jazz.
Um, pretty ok. After about three songs it slipped into the background and it didn't ever grab my attention again.
Now this is what I signed up for. I'd only known Herbie Hancock by name but never listened to his stuff. This is excellent. Funky instrumental jazz that just grooves the whole time. Experimental yet accessible. Now I need to listen to his earlier stuff.
Pretty good jazz album.
Fantastic background music while cleaning the house or working. Not something that is going on an everyday playlist.
I was very excited to finally see another jazz album pop up but then was immediately disappointed. Why did it have to be this one? I love jazz and I like Herbie Hancock but jazz fusion is another thing. I'm not much of a fan of electronic jazz and would choose acoustic jazz over it every time. At times this was a groove and an interesting listen and at other times it was tedious and meh. Look to his earlier works, Takin' Off, My Point of View, Empyrean Isles, Maiden Voyage or Speak Like A Child. 2.5/5
funky banger
This was actually pretty cool sounding
Very interesting jazz/funk mashup but only in small doses for me
Es el primer álbum de jazz que me salta, aunque no es jazz tan puro, combina muchos elementos de otros géneros y sonidos sintéticos, generados por computadora. A veces suena algo más Weather Report, a veces algo más tradicional mente jazz (como un swing) aunque siempre Hancock produce los temas agregando algunos sonidos muy particulares, en ese aspecto es bastante particular y algo curioso es que las canciones aunque duren 10 minutos tienen una novedad que hacen que siempre quieras escucharlas atentamente, en eso creo que se trata de una GENIALIDAD. A veces hasta incluso suena algo ambient el disco, es brutal.
Splendiferous! It takes you on a whole journey. Absolutely, Herbie deserves every bit of fame he has.
The groove is immaculate. Maybe the most accessible jazz album I’ve listened to, which is not an insult. It’s melodic and you could dance to it.
第一首的電子音有吸引到我，覺得有趣。但整張專輯並沒有特別讓我印象深刻的點。
Amazing album. Tons of fun sounds and experiential instruments. Think blowing into a coke bottle
This one eases you into the craziness - starts out almost like dance music and then lets loose. Really enjoyed it but some of the synthesizer stuff feels really trite today even though it was much more novel then
FUNKY!! Enjoyed
I like it although with only 4 tracks it does sometimes feel a little self-indulgent in the solo licks. I would have preferred a real rather than electric piano but I hear how this fits in with the other sounds. Some really cool sax playing and, while being self-indulgent in places, it never gets boring with a organic development of the arrangements and playing. Lacks a little "sparkle" for me.
Electronic jazzy, but nothing special.
Not really for me. It kind of sounded like a weird electronic jazz alternative. I'm not coming back to this.
This cover is already 5 stars on its own.
Absolutely STUNNING display of Jazz/Funk fusion. Incredible album straight through.
Fun and groovy but for 40 minutes straight? same baseline for 15 minutes? Not really sure how I feel about the whole thing so far, especially since a lot of the sounds felt a lot more like noises than something actually cohesive. High highs and low lows, will give bonus points for creativity
Enough of that jazz.
My only experience with Herbie growing up was his incessantly played 1983 hit “Rockit”, which was all over MTV. Interesting that this album pre-dates that by 10 years, but was clearly laying some new foundations for jazz fusion. There were even moments that had some prog feels, and yet it’s just jazz to me. But not the jazz I’d seek out. Fine to listen to, but nothing much else to grab onto.
Very inoffensive album, I have a hard time feeling too strongly about anything on here. Listenable, but pretty timid as far as jazz goes.
I feel cooler for listening to this. Nice background music and a nice jam. 4 songs 41 minutes 🤣
Herbie Hancock… one of the framers of the constitution and great jazz pianist. I wanted to like this more than I did. More accessible than most jazz we’ve had thus far but still didn’t really land for me. 3/5
Répétitif mais étonnant
An amazing jazz funk record.
4.25
Herbie was ahead of his time. Pioneer of electronoc music mixed with jazz and rap. It was very innovative and its still sounds fresh. Underrated artists that jas a vast significance in music history. My only issue is that songs are too long bit if they were shorter they would be more listenable day to day
nice jazz and early Herbie solo work.
Beetje nerveuze muziek
Jazz turned hip-hop classic
Indomitable, endless grooves. Wanna hear more of what Bill Summers was theorizing while recording his grace notes
# Album Name: Head Hunters # Artist: Herbie Hancock # Rating: 2/5 # Comments: Not a bad vibe but the tracks are incredibly repetitive. Some good muscianship no doubt about it. Jazz just isnt my thing. Many have commented on this album as a "gateway to jazz". I still dont get it. I appreciate the skill but Jazz just isnt for me. Im not sure ill ever get it. Couple of tracks on this album are way too long at 15+ mins. # Top Tunes: None # Would I listen to it again? Maybe as background music but thats it.
Coincidently, the weekend before this came up on my list I was having a party and put on this record. Halfway into Chameleon a friend said, "can you turn this off? It's way too anxious." Fuck her. I love this shit.
Like most people in my generation I didn't know who Herbie Hancock was until Rockit which came out like 10 years after this album. I really enjoy the funk-infused jazz. Would be great as part of a playlist for a party or background for work. Very good album.
Meh. Not for me.
I immediately heard the influence of Sly & the Family Stone’s “There’s a Riot Goin’ On.” Then the third track was titled “Sly” so… maybe check out “There’s a Riot” (a 5 star, ground breaking album). This is an enjoyable, groovy album too.
Good vibes
Day329 - i didn’t know herbie hancock had such a long career. this is perfectly funky
Easy 4 stars
Cool stuff - it gets old after a bit of active listening, but good chill background tunes
Not against instrumental albums but they better be good and this was not
I had a lot of fun with this one, especially with the first two tracks. It's a funky and cool album. Some of the sounds are just really intriguing, too.
These cats can cook. 4 tracks with very different vibes that all groove infectiously with fun-kiness. Now here is an album everybody needs to hear at least once. A pivotal proto fusion funk album that became highly influential for latter seventies funk and disco, 80s hip hop, dance, new romantic, new wave, and pop acts that we all know by name.
Very cool sound but repetitive. I like it but was kind of disappointed to tell you the truth. Good for a listen once in a while 3/5.
John Hancock? It's HERBIE Hancock!
Not bad, a little too long. Would give this 3.5 stars if I could, but we do whole stars only here.
funky background music
Enjoyed
Great change from what I usually listen to. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole album.
More stars than songs. Impressive.
Herbie Hancock has done things that I really like. But there are also some pieces where my musical understanding just isn't enough. I just find them exhausting. It was the same with this album. I found the first two tracks great, the last two rather difficult. As good as the whole album may be, I won't be listening to it again any time soon. 3/5
Wow, that was a trip. It's jazz through and through, with all the various instruments weaving their melodies together in a chaotic swirl of sounds. You can definitely hear the funk influence in the bass and punchy drum parts. If you like jazz-fusion, this should be right up your alley. Personally, while I found it interesting, I probably wouldn't seek it out to listen again, though the musicianship is undeniable.
Amazing
Very special album. Holds a special place in my jazzy funky heart. I will give it 5. In my opinion it’s really that important. I even own it on the Cd
This was fun.
not for me
He’s clearly talented and the songs are well done. Fine background music. Not really my thing though. Glad for the listening experience, but, next…
Phenomenal. Chameleon and Watermelon Man make it 5 stars by themselves.
This is a classic. Watermelon Man blew my mind when i first heard it and remains one of my favorites. Chameleon is closely behind. Very approachable Jazz and for someone who was/is a Jazz novice that loves funk I really appreciated this. This time through I did find aspects of it boring, but I think thats because I'm maybe less of a jazz novice now? Or maybe I've just heard it too many times. Either way, classic album 5 stars.
Watermelon man is one of my favorite grooves of all time. Many of the albums we’ve listened to are so desperately trying to sound avante-garde, they forget you actually have to sound good too for your inventiveness to matter. Herbie does this and makes it feel effortless. One of my favorite quotes about art applies: “talent hits a target no one else can hit. Genius hits a target no one else can see. “
Such a bangin jazz fusion experience. What I really forgot about was how awesome Sly (named after Sly and The Family Stone, Sly) is. Super inventive and doesnt feel old. 4 stars for my taste, 5 star jazz fusion experience
When I say I like about half of the songs on here, I don't mean I 100% like 50% of the songs; I mean I 50% like 100% of the songs. I like the funk bassline and percussion in every song, and I hate the brass jazz on top of it in every song. Unfortunately 50% is a failing grade, so I did not enjoy this overall
I started learning and became obsessed with guitar in fifth grade. My Catholic grade school didn’t have a jazz band, but we were a few blocks from the public middle school, and my dad was friendly with their band director, Mr O, who let me “audition” for and join the band in 7th grade. A few mornings a week, my dad would drop me at the public school at 7am, and after practice I would lug my guitar to my school down the street - even in the Iowa winters. I didn’t really know much about jazz at the time - still know only a drop in the bucket - but Mr O was this super passionate, light hearted, and sincere guy who made everyone want to learn and get better. He would stay after school on Fridays to host bonus jam sessions with a smaller group and booked us monthly gigs at the local wine/pizza bar to play to a crowd of slightly drunk parents and their friends. Mr O had a way of making very awkward middle schoolers feel cool and important. After my “audition” he sent me home with a CD I had to listen to to get started with jazz/funk - that album?Drops of Jupiter by Train.
Chameleon is groovy af
Expertly crafted songs that take you on a musical journey.
Funky kong type beat Track reviews: Chameleon - Pretty funky, cool motif throughout Watermelon Man - tribal ahh???? The didgeridoo or whatever was integrated pretty well. Worst track, but not far behind. Sly: Best track on the record imo, really liked how it was able to contain everything it had going on at the end (unlike some certain street preachers) and tie it all together in the finale Vein Melter: Slower vibe was a nice way to ease back in from the album's narrative climax in Sly and round off the album Also the beetle fella on the album cover looks like if hollow knight nailsmith was a jojo stand. Maybe he just looks like a jojo stand. On the higher end of the "high-quality background music ergo 3" gang.
??
I’ve listened to this album most of the day. Some great music here. A classic of musical fusion
Very interesting listen. Unsure what I just experienced, but somewhere between traveling through the jungle and jazz?
Not the kind of thing I'd ever really listen to but I didn't mind it
This album has become the incidental music of my mind unintentionally. I kept putting this one on, but kept getting lost in it. The first two tracks I have heard many times throughout the years, as I was introduced to Herbie Hancock through my boyfriend while we were still in high school. My only association with him prior was Rockit and the interesting music video behind it. The first two songs have been a favorite of my man’s and so I recognized them immediately. I had to keep listening to this album though because the other two tracks weren’t sticking in my head quite like the first two. Anyway this is a long-winded way of saying that I have found myself putting this album on over and over again. And I don’t hate it.
Jazz fusion. A 1970's cop show score. Long for my tastes and delves into elevator music territory at times (I am ok with that) I can hear the influence on so many musical styles, but ultimately this album is not for me.
This album was good. I know it is iconic and Herbie is legendary but sometimes I feel that the songs go on for a little too long, however, it was fun to listen to. "Chameleon" and "Watermelon Man" are iconic but to be honest, "Sly" was my FAVORITE. This is an enjoyable album to have in the background as you do other things. Favorite Songs: "Sly" and "Chameleon"
liked songs: all 4 of them This album is fantastic 4.5
There was a skate video back in the day called 'Mouse', it had the best music on it. It opened my eyes to a lot of new music including this. Loved this album ever since discovering it back then.