Head Hunters cover

Head Hunters

Released

After three brilliant but commercially unpalatable albums with his prog-art-funk-fusion septet, Mwandishi, Herbie Hancock needed a hit. His new band, the Headhunters, was exactly what the people wanted, apparently; two of this album’s four tracks, “Chameleon” and “Watermelon Man,” have been sampled on about 1000 hip-hop tracks each. And the lesser-known flip side, “Sly” and “Vein Melter,” is every bit as potent. Airtight funk grooves that allow Hancock and reeds master Bennie Maupin to stretch out just enough to satisfy adventurous ears.

Phil Freeman

Recommended by

Suggestions
Computer Games cover

Computer Games

George Clinton
There It Is cover

There It Is

James Brown
Round Trip cover

Round Trip

Light Of The World
Richter 858 cover

Richter 858

Bill Frisell
Turn to Clear View cover

Turn to Clear View

Joe Armon-Jones
After Dark cover

After Dark

Christian McBride, Scott Wendholt, Steve Wilson, Noah Bless, Carl Allen, Don Braden, Darrell Grant