Herbie Hancock - Head Hunters

 Brilliant work by Hancock via Miles Davis
This record to me defines the period in which it was made perfectly. The early '70s; afros, dashikis, and funk music storming the mainstream. This seems to be similar to the effect that Davis was reaching for and Hancock knew it. Albeit I find this record better than any of Davis' electrical focused albums. Watermelon Man is my personal favorite track as it takes an old standard and turns it into something incredibly playful and fresh. Sly reminds me of a soundtrack to a Pam Grier film's action scene from the era; something I have a personal affinity for.

If you don't own this album, pick it up as it's likely not like any other music in your collection. February 7, 2008

 Still a classic! Worth listening to again!
This album was always an underdog favorite of mine. I wouldn't put it on my Top 10 List of all time, but it's a strong classic that you JUST HAVE TO get out and play every so often....maybe more than once!!! When I saw this CD, I had to get it because it had been years since my last listen. It was so sweet to hear it again! Chameleon, the opening tune, is the longest and strongest selection on the album.....pure funk jazz that deserves its classic popular favorite status. Herbie and his supporting band are all fantastic. The writing, performances and jams are all first rate! The only problem with pacing is that the closing tune, Vein Melter is a bit long for being a closing tune with a slow pace. It's a great tune, but drags a bit as an album closer. But, don't let that stop you from buying the album, or enjoying the closing tune...it IS a good tune, but its placement was in a curious spot if you're concerned with overall album pacing. This is a great album!! I'm very glad I saw it again, bought the CD and played it all the way through more than once. I'm sure it's going to find its way onto my CD player many times in the future...when that special mood strikes. November 9, 2007

 A must-have classic
I had this on vinyl years ago and am glad to have the CD. This music still resonates. Go, Herbie! August 30, 2007

 Awesome fusion classic
This is in my Holy Trinity of jazz-fusion albums, along with Miles Davis' In a Silent Way and the Mahavishnu Orchestra's Inner Mounting Flame. And while it's not Hancock's greatest work (Emperyean Isles is), it's still a very recommended album.
The most famous song is the reworking of Watermelon Man, a standard from Hancock's debut (Takin' Off) here radically reworked into a funk song with someone blowing into a beer bottle during the introduction. I think that the Takin' Off version of this song is better. But that's all because it's the original, and 99% of the time the original's gonna be the best. I love this version of the song too - he gives the song a total makeover, as if he were an outsider covering the song. If you're gonna remake the classics, HERE'S how ya do it. Watermelon Man was actually a pretty big radio hit, and was (I think) Herbie's commercial breakthrough.
The other classic composition on this album is the funky Chameleon. Very long song, but very good: lots of tasty solos and a solid bass groove, like everything funky should have. Interestingly, there's no guitar on this album - there's a lot of clavinet, though. So it plays up the "funk" part of fusion and downplays the "rock" element.
Anyway, next comes the lengthy, energetic Sly: again, great song, this one being a tribute to Sly Stone, who you might know for pinoeering the funk genre (or wearing a huge blonde mohawk at the Grammies - years of being a self-exiled drug burnout do funny things to your brain, I suppose). The final song is the slow ballad-ish Vein Melter, which is yet another winner in my book: lots of synthesizers (by Hancock) and ghostly bass clarinet (by Bernie Maupin, who added a lot to those Miles Davis fusion records). Probably the weakest song here, but look at the competition, you know?
Right, so Head Hunters is a must-have album for all fusion fans. Hell, even if you're a funk fan who doesn't own a single jazz album, Head Hunters may still have something to offer you. July 15, 2007

 Funk Brilliance
I love Herbie Hancock's jazz material, so I tend to like the 60s Hancock, the Miles period, his work with VSOP, and some of his more recent material which I feel is a return to form.

Funk is not up there on my favourites, but its not a personal hate either. As far as an example of classic 70s funk jazz then this album has got to be a defining moment, along with Herbie's related work, Thrust.

Not much else to add, I'm sure Funk lovers will give this one a higher rating. Its a fun purchase to have, a little dated to my ear, but an important piece of its time. Many good moments on it to be had, and if you dig funk more than me than this should be a great album for you.

Hard to recommend, yet hard not to either July 12, 2007

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