THE HERBIE HANCOCK GROUP: HEAD HUNTERS

This is a psychedelic jazz-funk album of Herbie Hancock and the Head Hunters. After the progressive period Hancock had to give in a bit to the crowd, but the result is a very cool album that I've played on my house parties over the years. The opening track with its electronic bass line, percussive bas guitar and funky piano has this unique optimistic vibe that accentuates the beautiful chords towards the end. The keyboard sounds of Hancock are original and his playing is actually quite progressive. A psychedelic funk track like 'Watermelon Man' with its tribal vocal opening is something you've likely heard before somewhere. Side two offers more fusion oriented tracks that are good, but perhaps not as memorable as the two killer tracks on side one. The album artwork of this record is among my five favorite sleeves ever created. Ask your friends what emotions the metal head has and you'll find a great variety of answers (happy, sad, angry, fearful).

After this record Hancock would release more recommendable funk jazz records, but the Head Hunters would release an even better progressive funk album called 'Survival of the Fittest'.