Head Hunters

Since its initial release in 1973, Herbie Hancock's "Head Hunters" album has become a fusion jazz classic and rightfully so. Much like his former boss Miles Davis as well as R&B artists like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, Herbie Hancock set out to make music that was innovative for its time and pushed the envelope of creativity. Although Herbie had been experimenting with fusing rock, funk and African rhythms with Jazz styles in previous albums like "Sextant" and with his former group Mwandishi, "Head Hunters" is where all the musical styles and experimentation fell together in all the right places.
At least two of the four tracks on the album have gone on to become timeless classics. The nearly 16-minute centerpiece "Chameleon" is probably one of Herbie's best known compositions of the '70s and features a relentless bassline that stays stuck in your head long after the piece is finished. Drummer Harvey Mason's driving funk rhythms are also a crucial element to this track. Mason's arrangement of Herbie's 1963 piece "Watermelon Man" has become a classic in its own right and has been sampled by numerous hip-hop and dance artists in recent years (notably the pipe intro performed by Herbie and percussionist Bill Summers).
The other two tracks aren't quite as popular as the previous two but are still loaded with great musical invention. "Sly" is a nod to soul pioneer Sly Stone but also features a killer turbo-charged middle section in which Herbie and his band improvise at a relentless pace. Reed player Bennie Maupin shines at his best here as does Herbie with his fabulous Fender Rhodes leads.
The closing track "Vein Melter" is very similar to the fusion music of Miles Davis and consists of a slow-moving vamp in which different musical phrases are played. This piece would not sound at all out of place on an album like "In A Silent Way" or "B--ches Brew". If anything, it shows that Herbie definitely learned some great lessons from his former band leader.
"Head Hunters" is not only an album that will appeal to Jazz fans, it's an album that will appeal to fans of all kinds of music. The styles on this album are an excellent blend of rock, funk and progressive elements with some great jazz-oriented improvisation. 35 years later, "Head Hunters" is still one of Herbie Hancock's best albums that in my opinion has yet to be surpassed.
If you're new to Herbie Hancock's music, this album should be your first choice. You won't be disappointed.

The first song Chameleon is probaly the greatest jazz jam of all time. It's by far fusion jazz, its a jazz jam with elements of psychedellic rock in it and has many other elements of music. Chameleon is also maybe one of the best songs of all time. great album buy it today timeless classic.

Herbie Hancock brings virtuosity back into vogue.He redefines the boundaries and has fun doing it....If you are the least interested in the art of jazz, its a good album to own, play it often....You can not listen to Watermelon Man and be the same about structure and context in music again.


Kudos to Amazon for bringing great albums ,via downloads to average budgets.

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.

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.