Reviews (page 6 of 14)
So funky, gonna be groovin to this one for awhile
The long track length really allows the songs to take you on a journey. Lack of lyrics also lets the music stand on its own. Every musician here is a master of their instrument.
jazz funk greatness.
Long but fun Songs.
Very banging and funky. This is solid working music. The instrumentation didn't seem extremely adventurous, but it was well put together and enjoyable to the ear, and there's a good chance I'm just a jazz philistine who missed a bunch of genre-defining riffs.
It's Good, It's Funky!
The whole album is hot, but my fave is ... Watermelon Man, come on.
- 3.5/5
This is great! I was already a Watermelon Man fan, but the other three songs are just as good. Hancock refuses to let you get bored, it’s just one exciting idea after another and it all works together in a cohesive way somehow. Fantastic stuff!
Also great album Cover
Funky, lots of fun sounds
dang!! four songs, forty minutes, four stars. highlights - chameleon, watermelon man, vein melter
Oh, you don't like jazz? How about now? Yeah, thought so.
All the songs sounded familiar but I couldn't say where from (morning anomia). The breathy flute in Watermelon Man is how I would explain White Lotus without playing their theme song. Vein Melter is a great Spotify playlist name. A quick ask to the shaman (Google) revealed Herbie has the strongest brow x glasses combo.
I'm going to give it 4/5 but I can easily see how, after a few more listens, it could become a 5/5.
Went into this with no idea what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised! HH is funkier than I remember.
The only Herbie Hancock song I knew was Rockit. I always loved it because I was into early 80s rap and break dancing. I guess I avoided his music because I assumed it was mostly Jazz. This album is great - it’s really funky and smooth. Every song is great and loaded with hooks. I would definitely buy a physical copy and listen to it somewhat regularly.
Cool and funky. Does get a little elevator music-y for my taste, but it’s generally good.
great. Nice and funky
An interesting instrumental jazz album with some rock and funk influences. The instrument playing is great, which helps a lot when the album is 4 instrumental compositions stretched out over an LP length. I enjoyed listening to the track "Sly" in particular.
4.5
Chameleon // Watermelon Man // 4.5/5
Very nice
That was some groovin' and a movin'
Great album! Love it!
love!
Makes for some pretty good background music. It's weird, groovy, eclectic, and for the most part very enjoyable. I was already well acquainted with Watermelon Man so when I dove into this I was pretty excited. This album did not disappoint, having listened to this a few times I never found myself bored (ok maybe a teeny bit with the last track but it was still pretty good and the ambiance was nice). I won't lie and say I was blown away with the masterful production but this is just one of those albums that so well-rounded there's really nothing to dislike. Top 2: Chameleon and Watermelon Man 4.00-4.50/5
Un ritme funki molt interessant.
Funky as heck
Adrian: Bester song: Watermelon Man insgesamt gutes Album bisschen freaky aber nice Länge der Songs fällt nicht auf gut als background für chillen 3,6/5 Fynn: Bester Song: habe nicht auf die Titel geachtet Album lief im Hintergrund, war aber ein krasser Funk banger müsste für eine akkuratere Bewertung nochmal genau hören 4,1/5
Funky
I mean, the first half couldn't be any better. The second half is good to great
Right off the top, I got excited because I remember playing Chameleon in high school pep band, so that was a fun little throwback. As a flautist, the rest of the album was a fun experience. Jazz still isn't really my vibe, but I loved this.
First two tracks are stone cold classics and I'm not even a big jazz guy
The goat's still around today! Sounds like a soundtrack to an 80s detective film in LA. Funky but mature. This album is home to a plethora of absolute classic riffs which I didn't expect to have heard. Peak
Ultra funky jazz fusion album. Each track feels like a complete exploration of all the ideas presented on it with the exception of "Watermelon Man", which wasn't made for this album. "Chameleon" is the standout for me here, that bassline is addicting and persists throughout all 15 minutes of the track.
Funky and fun to listen to.
Fun
The album is a pioneer of jazz fusion. It sounds much better than its followers with their catchy bass lines.
More Jazz, but this is Jazz with Funk and I quite like it. Love that underlying bass tone on chameleon...and then they synth kicks in OMG!. Would absolutely put this on and vibe to it. What an opening track. I 100% can see why this album is on the list. it just maintains the intensity through Watermelon Man and Sly. Sly is possibly the most Jazz song on the album. First 2 songs were definitely better than the last 2. Last 2 were more Jazzy and less funky, but I still enjoyed them. I might like to own this. 4 stars
Awesome album 4.4 stars
Damn good.
Phenomenal jazz fusion. Chameleon is such a staple and this is still the best version. Masterful improvisation from all members and the chemistry, especially in the rhythm section, is palpable.
Having been introduced to Chameleon in my days when I was in the Jazz Club, with the addictive bass-line being the perfect song to do improv sessions off of, I already had a solid idea as to what to expect for the rest of this album. What I wasn't expecting however, was there to only be 4 songs in total for the full record. This album is the definition of funk. It may be an overused word to describe these 4 songs but it's the embodiment of funk. The instrumentals are all incredible and it's all great vibes all around. While none of the songs necessarily overstay their welcome, none of them are also songs that I feel like I'd be listening to at any moment in a day. You need to be in the mood to love this album, and if you're not, the length of these songs can be a turn-off point for sure. Overall, I would have preferred maybe 2 more songs in exchange for slightly shorter songs, but this is still an incredibly fun album.
Short, jazzy, funky. Hell yeah.
Herbie fully loaded this album with electric jazz n funk. Listened while I cleaned the house & it was a pretty sweet soundtrack, would love to have on vinyl
Thought it was going to be a bit try-hard artsy but quite liked it. On my patented -100 to 100 rating scale - where 100 is god herself coming down and giving me the best sex ever, respecting me in the morning and doing the dishes on the way out is 90+ (because nothing get 100 in an imperfect world - i mean look at the sheets!) it gets 60
Actually really enjoyed the album. If I'm in a certain mood I'd fully enjoy the whole album I think, so gonna give it a 4, and might adjust it later.
Eclectic in tone, amazing musicianship, frenetic and joyful. Favourite track: Sly
Good jazz
Chameleon fav song 4.2 Vinyl worthy
Liked it.
Great record!
Loved it
Chaotic at times, smooth at others
Enjoyed this one quite a bit! Songs are long and it’s easy to get a little lost and distracted in them but the music is still really pleasant and innovative. 7/10
The kind of album that makes you grateful for 1001 Albums. Really enjoyable jazz funk fusion. Interesting that Beck lifted Chameleon pretty much as-is 30 years later. Fun grooves I very much wish to return to.
Jazzigt och funkigt instrumentalt, 70-tals vibbar! Ibland överdrivet stökigt, men med guldkorn som Cantaloupe Island.
Funny how I disliked half of this album and loved the other - the exact opposite of the common consensus. Yes, the first half is more original and fun, I guess, but the piano parts are the best on the album, and they absolutely shine in Sly. And Vein Melter is such a tasteful thing. Meanwhile, Chameleon threw me all over the place in terms of my impression, and Watermelon Man's start is not something I'd want to listen to repeatedly.
Very cool
Well that was quite pleasant.I was only aware of Hancock bit never listen to an album. It is not only jazz, but oh, the grooves! Another great morning 4/5
4.5 great album one of the first experimental jazz albums i got into funky shit all the way thru
I really loved this album. Very well played and different. I'm going to listen to more Herbie Hancock.
Groovy
Yes.
Not my usual style but surprisingly enjoyable. First time ever hearing this artist
A fucking classic, sometimes a little slow on the breakdowns but without doubt a pioneering masterclass.
Very funky. Lot of funk on this list lately. This one grooves along and doesn't wear out its welcome. 4/5.
great
Nice. Favorite song: watermelon man
3.5
I enjoyed it, had it on while ubering
A-side was a jam-and-a-half, was a whole vibe. B-side left me less enthusiastic.
Slow-building jazz-funk. Iconic. Some of the songs drag on, but otherwise I love this album.
Доходчивый и интересный. Раньше не заходил, но сейчас пришёлся по душе.
About halfway through Chameleon I knew I was gonna like this album. The rest of the tracks were really good but didn’t hit the heights of the first one for me. Overall a really enjoyable album.
This album is amazing. The 15-minute opener “Chameleon” begins with one of the most iconic synth lines of all time. Those drums and guitar that come in also do the song some major justice. The beat switch near the middle of the song turns it from funk to jazz in a matter of seconds. I also really love the strings that come in during the other part. Man, can Herbie groove. “Watermelon Man” starts with multiple wind instruments and some vocal noises before going into this hypnotic blend of everything. Most of the instruments (minus drums, bass, and the first wind) are panned to the right, making the mixing a bit unconventional. “Sly” starts with syncopation that hooks you in. Then, it becomes a little jazzier than that, with the saxophone taking major control of the melody. Herbie’s soloing, as always, is phenomenal. The beat changes very regularly, and it makes for one exciting song. “Vein Melter” is definitely a chiller song. There’s not much going on, but it sure is hypnotic. This album gets a 4.2/5.
Beautiful.
Thoroughly enjoyable jazz/funk, would have given a 5 if not for the last track dragging things down to a boringly slow pace to end an otherwise exciting album
I liked it: short, focused, a groove.
Thrilling funk up front, smooth funk to close. Great album.
フュージョン・ジャズの名盤。 長尺の楽曲を4曲収録。 一回聴いただけでは噛み締め切れない良さがあった。暫定⭐︎4.0
An excellent jazz album I was not familiar with. I never thought synthesizers could work so well in a jazz band, and I’m glad I discovered this record. The intro to Watermelon Man blew my mind, and the overall mood is fantastic. It’s almost perfect – it’s just missing an ineffable little something I can’t quite put my finger on. But I will certainly listen to more Herbie Hancock in the future.
Peak jazz funk before it was even cool
3.7
We used to play these tunes in various secondary school bands, so I never felt the need to listen them because they were drilled into my skull. Or so I thought, turns out professional jazz pioneers are much better than a band of school kids. Despite having Grade 5 jazz clarinet (please, hold your applause), I don’t have the vocabulary to describe what makes this slap so much. I like the way all the instruments work together. I like how the main tunes evolves and changes over 15 minutes in each song… it makes me feel nice… the 70s electronic music sound very cool… I would have loved to see this live and watch the way the musicians interact, or perhaps stare in awe as they do all this amazing collaborative improvisation based on pure, unspoken vibes.
Funky soulful groovy stuff. I like it. Maybe a bit noodly but it IS a jazz album. Yeah kinda gives me a headache after while, it never really lets up. But still really good. Not too long, never wears out its welcome. This last song is really nice. Acid jazz baby! 4/5
first time ever trying something like this.. curious but enjoyed. i dont know if funk is my thing, but i liked the grooves. overall a good time!
Funky, and jazzy in a great way to me. Probably more of a background album but I really was enjoying it.
wonderful album I found it hard to stop listening.
BEST SONGS: - Chameleon - Watermelon Man
That was grooooovy. Herbie had been a bit of a blind spot. A lot more funk to that than I was expecting. The first two numbers in particular were spectacular.
Funkiest thing this side of James Brown. Somehow the first time I've listened to this and whoa nelly this did not disappoint. 4.5 for now but might come back later to revise it up into a 5.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-XXbYb5hx0 ^this skit, except it's jazz and funk, but equally as tasty
Hoy martes vamos con un artista y disco que archiubico pero siempre por algún que otro motivo termino dejando de lado. El álbum arranca arriba. Chill. Con una baile suave. Luego de su excelente comienzo, que por momentos me recuerda a Fela Kuti, se pone más tranca pero con ése mismo groove inicial. Destaco obviamente la canción de apertura y la parte más de experimentación de "Sly". Gracias como siempre y hasta mañana.
pretty fun jazz!
This was absolutely fantastic. Really awesome groove driven funky jazz.
Great album, jazzy/funky rock instrumentals. Would listen to again for sure.
Boring
Top-Jazz. Fast 5.
I was due another great album and this really delivered, sometimes all you need is 4 songs. Reading up on the album you can really appreciate it as a pioneer. Even if it's not going to be a go to (there's some misses) it's still excellent. Also that cover tho. Definitely checking out more Herbie Hancock stuff.
Excellent, so damn funky Favorite track: Chameleon
Funk jazz fusion (fashion?) and it’s all good.
Did not know he was part of the Miles Davis quartet. Really nice crossover album, and real nice groove throughout. Really nice to hear the changing phases in the songs, to be engaged and drawn in throughout. ‘Watermelon Man’ felt familiar somehow and suuuuuuch a groove, when the beat drops. Felt like it could easily be a modern day track. Yeh, this is GROOVY and warm 🥰
This album is so groovy. I am not a huge fan of jazz, but when its imbued with Herbie Hancock's funky style it is another story. All four songs on this album are bangers. Had to immediately listen to it again after the first run through.
Really funky and well-produced electro-jazz with a good amount of variation. Good summery vibes
haha cock
Funky jazz album. Some songs seem to inspire other artists for soundtracks in that time.
Banger
ah jeez, i don't think i'm musically informed enough to be able to engage with, let alone critique, this album. it's quite the ambitious masterpiece and while only being composed of four songs, each piece takes you on a journey. it's undoubtedly cool and i hope is studied by those who understand funk far better than i do
CHAMELEON KENN ICH? bzw. wahrsch hetsmer mal de luca zeigt hahah weiss nöd JZ GAHTER JA CRAZY ok bin froh wenns jz mal chli en switch git, d bassline isch chlii repetitiv worde SCHLAGZÜG DE AHFANG VO WATERMELON MAN HAN ICH DEFINITIV SCHOMAL GHÖRT hahaha so funny FUNKY joo de schluss vo vein melter isch jz nothing to write home about bin zwüscheme 3 undeme 4i, mengisch würkli insane geil und funky, aber mengisch für mich chli repetitiv, mal luege
Sick. Didn’t know the 1970s had a jazz movement that blended funk and psychedelia, but here we are.
Delightful, you’re clearly in the hands of a master. Perfect for romantically making dinner with your partner.
Wasn’t a huge fan the first time I listened to this album, but after listening to the songs in random order a couple of times, it grew on me quickly. This is well-produced chill music with some great riffs sprinkled here and there. Very rhythmically pleasant and with an enjoyable soundscape overall. I like that it has no vocals. Really let’s the music breath. This albums is great. Not mind blowing but very enjoyable. This is background music, but it’s very high quality background music that doesn’t turn into noise even if you listen to it for a while.
By far my favourite jazz record so far, probably because it's just as much funk. Could be a gateway album.
one of those albums that will I will undoubtedly continue to come back to
So good amazing insteumental music
Funky. Innovative. Dope. Hints of Parliament on the funk side, but much jazzier. Only 4 songs, but 41.5 minutes. Bang for the buck. I love the funk-jazz mix!! It's probably one of my favorite things. I'm giving this a 4.
I wish I was a filmmaker so that I could use these songs in a soundtrack. Great record!. I did have one problem with this, but it wasn't specifically with the album. For some reason the streaming version of this is so quiet that I had to put my volume to the max to be able to even hear it. Definitely a disservice to this grade problem.
Chameleon and Watermelon Man are great. The other two are probably great as well, I'm just not as familiar with them.
Very funky and jazzy. Fell asleep halfway through it lounging in the sun which was pleasant, but probably means I need to have another listen. I'm not a jazz guy, but this record really has a good groove to it, especially those godly pseudo-vocals on Watermelon Man.
Thanks to Tommy Boy, I’d heard of Herbine Hancock but never heard any of his music. It’s got… an interesting interpretive jazz, world music vibe. Kinda neat.
4/5 A whole lotta funk, a whole lotta fun. Top 3 Songs: Chameleon Watermelon Man Sly
It's good for what it is, but I'm very much doubtful it can rise above interesting background music. Maybe we should celebrate how futuristic or modern it sounds for being a 1973 release?
Percussion section is sick. Articulations are sooo clean. Watermelon Man was incredible and so creative.
Groovy, well thought out Jazz. I liked it. There were a few quirks, but overall I think it's worthy of at least 4 stars.
Reminds me of Trapper McNutt.
Cool stuff. 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘏𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 grooves hard, sounds fresh even decades later, and proves that jazz can move your body as much as your brain.
So good. So very good. Music is upbeat but not in a predictable or boring way. Lots of creativity, but its controlled. Would definitely listen to again. Great to have playing around the house on a Sunday.
I was all over this album in 1973. Herbie was at the forefront of the jazz/funk/rock fusion movement at the time and Head Hunters was blasting from every turntable. Chameleon and Watermelin Man were ubiquitous. Sounds somewhat dated now, but still an innovative move forward at the time. Herbie is one of my top musical heroes.
Favorite track: chameleon. Overall score: 8,6/10
Weird and cool
kivat wibat. hei kaikki herbalisti täällä tasa tehään brain blasterz -haaste.. tämä on tuttu varmaan kaikille ja kokellaas.. joo tosi kirpeetä on. ja tämä helvetin kusipää vielä kehtaa puksuttaa eteenpäin iässään.. piano piano was my first love.. and it will be my last.. pianos of the future... and pianos of the past... varmaan terv. herbie luultavasti lol.. varmaa vittu sanoo jotain tollast lol. mahdotonta tietää todellisuudessa, mutta voin kyllä arvata että jotain tollast sano vittu lol. eiks vaa? ooks samaa mielt.. mun mielest ainaki vois oll et sano tollast paskaa lol chameleon
Funky jazz. Pretty good all the way through. Rewards closer listening. Some far-out parts.
It's not my favorite record of all time but it certainly is an important one. I like "Chameleon" partially because of Beck's "Cellphones Dead" which used the bass line. Worth a listen for sure, and makes for some great background music.
I can’t say Herbie Hancock isn’t talented. The man clearly has more musical vocabulary in one hand than most people have in their entire bodies. Head Hunters is very much a “musicians having fun” album. It’s jazz-funk built around long grooves and open space, and if you’re wired for improvisation, I’m sure it’s a feast. I’m not wired that way. To me, a lot of this plays like extended jazz noodling with occasional landmarks to remind you you’re still on the same track. That said, I get why this one is historically important. It’s one of the first times synths weren’t just sprinkled into jazz but treated as the main structural material. You can hear the shift happening in real time. The basslines, the textures, the whole rhythmic engine leaning into electronics in a way that would ripple through funk, pop, and eventually hip-hop. I even caught flashes of the rhythmic DNA that later shows up in “Take Me to the Mardi Gras,” which was a fun little lineage surprise. I’m glad I finally listened to it, but I don’t see myself coming back. It’s a landmark, just not one that lines up with how I like music to think. A solid 3.5/5 for influence, innovation, and the occasional groove that pulled me in before wandering off again.
Meget cool og unikt album
Just when I thought I was completely done with Jazz for good, this record comes along and gives me hope again. It's pretty great for what it is. I'd still prefer to listen to almost any other genre, but I didn't have a bad time with this at all.
This is great. The bass is sick and Herbie is just givin' er on the keys.
Great background music
Fusão braba! Curti bastante, é minha pira. Dificil ficar parado ouvindo, te prende bem. 4
Nice, energetic jazz
Pretty good! I liked the more saxophone-forward sections less, but what did i expect?
Again, love this nonsense. Filing this next to Plantasia in my mind for vibey background instrumentals. Convinced there's a tune-yards song or something that samples Watermelon Man because it sounds SO familiar
Album bangs, listened to it a few times today!
get funked
Big album in jazz history but the solos can go on for a little too long for repeat listeners. But Chameleon especially has stood the test of time and is one of the most common funk/fusion songs young jazz musicians play when they are learning to improvise. Really fun to play
Groovy, funk, early 70's culture. Chameleon will live till the end of time. Pass the..
Takes me back to high school. Great stuff
The album that made white college students think they could play funk
Like this a lot. nicely bonkers
jako dobro!
ok this is so cool, love it
Sehr nices album, love herbie hancock!
Funky
very groovy, fernetic at times, but always groovy
Jazzy!
This is a chill, laid-back, and groovy album, though “Sly” picks up the pace a bit and gives some extra energy into the mix. Herbie Hancock is definitely an incredible pianist, and on “Chameleon,” you can tell he’s really having fun exploring the synth, even if it feels like he’s still discovering its full potential.
Really love this album. Has been a staple in my vinyl collection for years.
What comes before funk-b?
Absolutely cooks for 30 minutes, but Vein Melter is such a dud to end on
Interesting groovy album
Excellent.
Love it! The album that introduced me to the joys of vinyl when I was 15. Still funky as hell.
Otro que me funcionó para trabajar. Watermelon man, muy rico. Nota: 3.7
i actually really liked this not what i was expecting
So groovy and fun to listen to… although that weird flute kills Watermelon Man. The rest is cool though
The White Lotus theme song inspiration discovered LOO-LOO-LOO-LOO-LOO
I know this is a classic but even so, I find it quite challenging to concentrate on for the full duration.
I'm more of a classic jazz guy myself but respect where it's due
Chameleon is LIT. What a phenomenal song. The rest of the album is enjoyable...but a bit of a come down after Chameleon.
First 2 tracks 10/10, second side 6/10
Really enjoyed this jazzy, funky album. It felt like it should be the soundtrack to something cool.
War ganz gut. Höre ich mir wieder an.
Jazz for jazz lightweights like me.
All killer
I grew up on this, so side A is iconic to me
A sort of fusion betwen jam music and jazz music. It was pretty cool, I liked it more than expected.
Liked the funky jazz vibe. Songs are very long but Chameleon was good.
Herbie Hancock with the heavy jazz-fusion vibes on this Jazz-funk record. Herbie is one of the greats and this is one of his best.
This had a great groove to it. Loved it!
I enjoyed this! Very funky and smooth.
Cool and controlled funky as only experienced jazz hands can pull off. "Vein Melters" is awesome. Editors overstate the case that this record invented multiple genres (though it certainly predicted smooth jazz and hints at other forms). They also unfairly diss the Mwandishi records, which are every bit as cool as this, though with a different tone and timbre.
brutal
capas fodas. quentíssimo. vou usar ele pra estudar daqui pra frente pq putz só pedrada!!
Love the electronic rock-jazz fusion. Feels ahead of its time. Crazy good playing and solos, really interesting use of synths. Tracks are very long but don't feel repetitive at all. Very funky. Love the unison in bass and brass / rhodes melodic runs. 8/10
Unbelievable!!!!
Groovy, very long songs. Instrumental and can get kinda repetitive at times but pretty good. Would listen to again. Electric jazz, funk, international sounds.
Pretty iconic for only 4 songs and no talking.
My first Herbie Hancock experience. Fun little one. Added Watermelon man. Chameleon was a bit tiresome for my ears in the middle of track. Other two - can't really remember, but it was fine.
Banger
Chill as hell I could boogie to this
A jazz giant playing with synthesizers, sure! Early jazz-funk-fusion at its best.
Move to the groove was my first thought. Great sound. Great album.
I like this song because it is not that good at the start, but as it goes on, it gets better. I would recommend this song. I like this song because the beat is good. I would recommend this song.
What is the head of the yellow person on the album cover? I liked "Watermelon Man" it was very unique. I loved the beginning because the noises were unique and distinct but sounded great together. The guitar was also really good. The other songs were also really good. I didn't mind the lack of lyrics. I would recommend this album.
watermelon man, I like this song because there is some bass and I don ¨ t know why there are no lyrics. Chameleon, I like this song because i have 2 chameleons One of them is named leo and the other one is named mojo
What a groovy project
Super cool and funky
Nice and smooth. Just good background listening.
3.5+/5
Really enjoyed this 8/10
The first true jazz album I've received so far and its one of the best the genre has to offer. Seriously this album is a delight. Its wacky and wonderful and like nothing else I've listened to. "Chameleon" and "Watermelon Man" are both perfect jazz songs. I'm tempted to round up on this one unfortunately "Sly" and "Vein Melter" aren't as amazing as those first two songs. Overall this is still a fantastic album. Definitely would recommend this to anyone trying to get into jazz. Favorite track: Watermelon Man 4.5/5
That was funky!
Very jazzy!
It's an interesting, exotic and sometimes I got goosebumps on my skin. The second song on this album was very familiar and actually I heard it în White Lotus episodes, so it explained why I thought it's a bit creepy.
Before: Herbie Hancock, jazz legend Herbie Hancock? Excited to listen to this all the way through. Not sure if I know any of his work by name, but jazz has grown on me a bit in recent years despite not loving it much when I was younger. During/after: OOOH, funky! Love a good meaty bass riff and Chameleon is the perfect intro. This is so jazz fusion-y and I LOVE it. Watermelon Man has the most streams out of the whole album and I can see why. It's my favorite track in this collection and it's short and digestible compared to the rest of the album and is just FUNKY. The winds are a really unexpected but delightful touch. Sly is just so technical and a testament to the levels of talent these guys possess, but not something that I could listen to often, as it just made me feel very jittery and isn't super palatable to my ear. I thought Vein Melter was a great cool-down track to end the album with. Lots of cool psychedelic elements while staying kind of chill. This was very much not I was expecting for a jazz album. It was really fast and had a lot of fusion with other genres that I noticed. There was a very psychedelic feel, so it didn't feel like the more (for lack of a better word) boring, standard, traditional jazz. With a few shrooms in my system, this would go especially hard. Overall, I likely won't come back to this much because it's just not what I gravitate to musically and some parts weren't very palatable for my tastes, but the talent is very evident and I really appreciate these tracks for what they are. I thought that it would be good background music for while I was working, but a lot of it was just so fast and crazy that I found myself getting jittery and scattered. That's not necessarily a bad thing, not all music is meant to be background music for working, but it was something I noticed. Even though it's not something I'll revisit much, I'm adding points for the sheer talent and coolness. 4/5.
Love the intro to the first 3 tracks. especially love when the African influenced come more front and center without overpowering the more traditional jazz elements. The last track lost me a bit because it was missing the energy of the first 3.
Funked UP!
What a great funk and jazz album.
Yep. Pretty good. Not quite mind-blowing in 2025 although I bet it was pretty progressive for the time.
Awesome use of sounds. Brilliant album!
What would high school jam sessions be like without this album?
Loved the mix of funk and jazz, for 1973 this feels incredibly ahead of its time especially the watermelon man with the quality of the drums.
Never a dull moment with Herbie Hancock
Awwwww yeaaaaaah baby, groooooooovy
Really cool jazz fusion album. Funky as hell, jazzy as heck. I enjoyed this one quite a bit. Also, badass album artwork.
Bängäs
Funk, Jazz
As far as Jazz Fusion goes, the funk that this album brings sets it apart from others in Hancock's "Mwandishi" sextet album run. It is lighter, and more inviting to the average listener and that's not a bad thing. As a result, we are left with the iconic 'Watermelon Man' track as a standout, but an album that asks the user to continue to explore Hancock's collection as a great "entry-point" for his deep and varied discography.
Good stuff from a legend. Like the original watermelon man better though ;)
Funky, great musicians but not my usual cup of tea.
I knew Chameleon going in (thanks Jae), but dang, this is fun*ky*
Jazz funk, but enough funk to dilute the jazz :) Letting this play all the way through for a second time. Great stuff.
4 songs, 40 minutes. Surprisingly refreshing and energising. 8/10
solid jazz
Grooves. All grooves.
A jazz classic....beautiful stuff
Cooler than you. Four stars.
It's good. Nice funky jazz sound that's perfect for studying
Hell yeah, bud. Electric jazz? Music to make dinner to
I am very familiar with the song "Chameleon" because of Joey. I enjoyed this album as a whole. I like this style of jazz it seems. Loved the keyboard part in "Sly."
Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock is a phenomenal jazz-funk album that sounds incredibly ahead of its time. With its heavy use of synths and groove-driven compositions, it feels more like a late-'70s record than something from 1973. The production is excellent, and while some tracks can feel a bit long for those not used to jazz, the album remains highly accessible compared to more complex jazz works. Its blend of funk, fusion, and jazz makes it a timeless listen. I had the chance to see Hancock live in Helsinki in 2023, and even in his 80s, his energy was amazing. Head Hunters is a must-hear for anyone exploring jazz or funk.
Silly name. Great songs. Wish I knew more about funk to understand the influence of this.
Has anyone ever tagged Herbie as the Godfather of Groove? If they haven’t they should. This was 1973 for goodness sake…1973! Groundbreaking & excellent.
Cool
Extremely groovy, really chill. Wouldn't add it to my personal playlist, but it made me pass an excellent time while working.
Light-decent 9
This is going to be on heavy rotation during nightly Indica hours ~ especially WATERMELON MAN.
Love me some instrumental albums
Fun timing from hearing him at the Grammys. Fun funky album
we want the funk
Pretty cool. And Beck ripped off his baseline.!!!
I really enjoyed this jazz fusion stuff.
Pretty dang funky
Love some bass lines in there.
A delightfully weird little album. Not sure if this is jazz or funk, but I enjoyed it. Maybe a splash of prog towards the end??? Would have been even better with fat doobie, instead of sitting behind my work computer, but so it goes.
Hell yes. This is the kind of funky groovy jazz I can vibe with. 'Watermelon Man' is such a cool song. Unfortunately another album that suffers by the track order. 'Vein Melter' is such a letdown to close out the album after the first 3 tracks. Looking at the track times, it looks like it could ONLY be track 3 or 4. Would have loved it to be the first track - damn outdated technology.
GROOVY ASF but not the biggest instrumental girl so it faded 2 the background after a while!! Update: I just keep going back 2 it it’s amazing and funky and danceable and odd AND STRANGE BUT SO EXPERIMENTAL & COOL!
Funky and cool
Day 86 - Jan 31st, 2025 RAAAAAH SMOOTH JAZZ 4/5
Sooo, I really want to give this a 3.5z I liked it but I didn’t love it, it just went on a bit too long at times. Cool vibes though and great musicianship
++: Chameleon, Watermelon Man, Sly, Vein Melter 9,7/10
Groovy! Will re-listen for sure.
Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters is a genre-defining blend of synth funk, jazz, and tribal influences, creating grooves that are both cool and meticulously crafted. The album’s opener, Chameleon, draws you in with its layered progression and irresistible funk, while Watermelon Man stands out with its tribal intro and playful refrains, keeping you hooked and slightly disoriented in the best way. Tracks like Sly showcase electrifying solos that blur the line between chaos and groove. The album's four extended tracks are masterfully composed, but some feel a bit lengthy or too similar, occasionally losing momentum. That said, it excels at creating an immersive experience, hitting a subtle yet deeply engaging vibe. Listening to this album on the day my uncle passed away offered a much-needed distraction, filling my crowded mind with jazzy, wordless vibes that helped me breathe. While not perfect, Head Hunters remains an innovative and timeless work of jazz-funk fusion.
很棒啊
Not a jazz fan at all, but this is funky and groovy as hell
Its fun.
It was decent fun. Watermelon Man was definitely the big takeaway for me. My favorite tv soundtrack in recent times is the White Lotus soundtrack. As soon as Watermelon Man starts, it is clear what served as inspiration for that soundtrack (even though this was 50 years before the show). Rating: 3.9
Hell yeah… This slaps, super groovy and funky. As the record goes on, does it get a bit too long and slightly tiring to kisten to? Probably, tough pick between 4 and 5 stars
A fun and saxy time!
This album was pretty epic! The first song was probably my favorite and the second one while it had some highlights was my “least favorite”. This is more for my own memory but I listened this album at least 3 times while tanking WC for the first time on wow hardcore and no one died even though the healer dc’ed on the first pull and I almost died. Less than 20 hp. I will definitely check more out from this artist!
Very fun album. The first track is a bit long with the same rhythm part through most of the song.
Wouldn't normally be my cuppa but this had me grooving on a Monday morning. Now wondering if I can making liking jazz my entire personality
Groovy baby Even I managed to succumb to the funk of this album.
The huge drop off in Spotify listens between the first 2 songs and the last 2 songs really amused me. Overall, I thought it was a pretty stunning album. Chameleon, Watermelon Man and Sly are all incredible. I was fairly meh on the last song, but came round to it on repeated listens. I'm still not sure how I feel about it as the albums closer though? I both like the way the funk slowly fizzles out of the album as it goes along, but the end isn't representative enough of the album as a whole, so i’m always left in a weird mood when it’s done. I may have preferred it if Sly and Vein Melter were switched round.
so good - first time listening to the whole album tho
I never realised all the samplers in the 90s only owned one album
Very funky and fun. Bass player is amazing. Length of the songs is a little much for me as it eventually just turns to background noise.
9/10
Groovy modern like jazz that was nice to listen to while working.
Jazz Best song: Chameleon
Chameleon - It took me about three minutes in to realize that my High School Jazz Band had played this song last year. The drumming beats and rhythms paired with the keyboards make this such an enjoyable and fun listen. Watermelon Man - Keyboards, tambourine and guitars are a pleasure to listen to. Who ever told the wind instruments to come in towards the final 45 seconds is a genius. Sly - The saxophone goes absolutely nuts, the frantic but controlled drumming adds so much to the background. Along with that just the ACCENTS from the drums, light ride-bell hits, tom-tom smacks in appropriate spots. The entire track is just a vibe. Vein Melter - Chilled out track to finish out this album. The strings are a nice addition to the now established formula of keyboards and drums.
groovy as hell
One of my earliest exposures to jazz, love at first sight
Not something I'll revisit, but fun record
Favorite Track: Chameleon
Did Herbie define the disco sound? Amazing to listen to today, 50 years later.
Listens to this sporadically while visiting parents at Christmas. Would probably hit different if I could’ve listened to it all in one go. Still liked it. But possibly could love it if I return to it. 4/5
Well, isn't this a charming jazz and funk instrumental record! Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock was smooth and creative and kept me on my toes. It flowed beautifully, and I wasn't upset to listen again. Head Hunters felt fresh to my 2024 ears--and I can't believe this album cover was giving Deadmau5 in 1973!
Fusion,
I am by no means a funk or jazz aficionado but at first listen, I am intrigued by the jazz-funk fusion going on here. Overall this was an excellent album, my daughter has played a version if Watermelon Man with the jazz band at her school so I was fairly familiar with that piece. I’m going to go all the way to 4 stars here because I liked this much more than I expected.
Pretty good jazz album.
funky banger
Splendiferous! It takes you on a whole journey. Absolutely, Herbie deserves every bit of fame he has.
The groove is immaculate. Maybe the most accessible jazz album I’ve listened to, which is not an insult. It’s melodic and you could dance to it.
This one eases you into the craziness - starts out almost like dance music and then lets loose. Really enjoyed it but some of the synthesizer stuff feels really trite today even though it was much more novel then
4.25
Herbie was ahead of his time. Pioneer of electronoc music mixed with jazz and rap. It was very innovative and its still sounds fresh. Underrated artists that jas a vast significance in music history. My only issue is that songs are too long bit if they were shorter they would be more listenable day to day
nice jazz and early Herbie solo work.
Like most people in my generation I didn't know who Herbie Hancock was until Rockit which came out like 10 years after this album. I really enjoy the funk-infused jazz. Would be great as part of a playlist for a party or background for work. Very good album.
I immediately heard the influence of Sly & the Family Stone’s “There’s a Riot Goin’ On.” Then the third track was titled “Sly” so… maybe check out “There’s a Riot” (a 5 star, ground breaking album). This is an enjoyable, groovy album too.
Day328 - i didn’t know herbie hancock had such a long career. this is perfectly funky
Easy 4 stars
Cool stuff - it gets old after a bit of active listening, but good chill background tunes
I had a lot of fun with this one, especially with the first two tracks. It's a funky and cool album. Some of the sounds are just really intriguing, too.
These cats can cook. 4 tracks with very different vibes that all groove infectiously with fun-kiness. Now here is an album everybody needs to hear at least once. A pivotal proto fusion funk album that became highly influential for latter seventies funk and disco, 80s hip hop, dance, new romantic, new wave, and pop acts that we all know by name.
John Hancock? It's HERBIE Hancock!
funky background music
Enjoyed