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Locked Down Jazz Appreciation - Album of the Week
33: Herbie Hancock: Head Hunters (Columbia)
After the experimental music of his early 70s Mwandishi band fell on deaf ears, Herbie
Hancock reinvented himself as an afro-topped jazz-funk wizard with this 1973
blockbuster album, which hit No.1 on the US jazz charts. Though influenced by Sly Stone
and James Brown, Hancock stumbled upon something unique that was simultaneously
accessible and groundbreaking. Combining squelchy clavinet parts with astral synth
lines – both underpinned by Paul Jackson’s anchoring bass and Harvey Mason’s taut but
elastic grooves – Hancock and his cohorts found themselves opening for rock acts like
Santana. The four tracks here range from epic spaced-out funk (‘Chameleon’) to
atmospheric tropical grooves (an offbeat, African-influenced reworking of his 1963 Blue
Note classic, ‘Watermelon Man’) and edgy, syncopated fusion (‘Sly’). The set’s only slow
song, ‘Vein Melter’, is an oozy soundscape. Head Hunters proved to be a hugely influential
album, transforming Herbie Hancock into a fusion superstar.
Key song: ‘Chameleon’
Dave
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Herbie Hancock - The New Standard
AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow
On first glance this record would not seem to have much promise from a jazz standpoint. Herbie Hancock performs a set of tunes which include numbers from the likes of Peter Gabriel, Stevie Wonder, Sade, Paul Simon, Prince, the Beatles (“Norwegian Wood”) and Kurt Cobain. However by adding vamps, reharmonizing the chord structures, sometimes quickly discarding the melodies and utilizing an all-star band, Hancock was able to transform the potentially unrewarding music into creative jazz. Hancock, who sticks to acoustic piano, shows that he is still in prime form, taking quite a few fiery solos. With Michael Brecker on tenor and surprisingly effective soprano, guitarist John Scofield, bassist Dave Holland, drummer Jack DeJohnette and percussionist Don Alias (along with an occasional horn or string section that was dubbed in later), the results are often quite hard-swinging and certainly never predictable. Although it is doubtful that any of these songs will ever become a jazz standard, Herbie Hancock has successfully created a memorable set of “new” music. Well worth investigating.
Enjoy
Dave
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John Scofield - A Go Go
AllMusic Review by Tim DiGravina [-]
John Scofield owes a great deal to Medeski, Martin & Wood for the success of A Go Go. The piano/organ, bass, and drum playing trio adds a world of bouncing vibes to Scofield’s inquisitive, happy guitar work here. A Go Go is an album of mostly breezy, sometimes tense, jam-based grooves. The album’s charm is in its “city meets the tropics” feel. The four players create such a warm, vibrant sound that resisting the urge to tap one’s feet along with the beat becomes a near impossibility. The opening song is a treat of plucked guitars and tightly packed new jazz. Other standouts are “Kubrick,” a swooning, gentle change of pace packed with background tension, and “Hottentot,” a tour de force of dynamic interplay. There’s nary a moment of filler to be found across the ten tracks. It’s clear that Scofield enjoyed the collaboration, as his guitars seem to nearly speak joy. His alternately jangling and plucking style sees him weaving in and out of the young trio’s sound net with ample confidence. As fun as A Go Go is, it’s just as well-sequenced, as Scofield and company vary their pace and tone expertly throughout the album’s running time. A Go Go is far more than four cool cats jamming together and enjoying each other’s company. It’s an immensely entertaining, enlightening ride.
Enjoy
Dave
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Have it. As the Herbie above.
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For now I enjoyed all the tracks, however my preference goes a bit vs Jose Bertrami, these 2 albums:
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Great, enjoy!!
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Meddy Gerville and Ximo Tebar , great too.
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Steve who runs the Colchester Jazz Club was a true Scofield fan boy and managed to get him to appear several years ago at our very modest premises. The only other group member I can remember was the drummer,Bill Stewart. I came away with (sore ears) and appreciation of his talents. I keep a you tube watch on his endeavours.
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The resurgence in vinyl sales leaves us cd collectors in a very favourable position. I can stream with the nd5 but prefer the fuller sound of the capped CD5.My old lugs are not worth further investment🦻.
Three gaps filled in the BlueNote department and a Herb Geller which I was unfamiliar with
£6.00 (av)each plus £3.00 postage.
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JS item number 2 on today’s Jazz RecordRequests.
N
for Horse and Fish
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