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US AND THEM - 1973
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"...Vein Melter..."
Jazz had been morphing into a new kind of instrumental Funk since 1970 and Herbie Hancock knew it.
In truth - Funk had been permeating into Rock and Soul stretching as far back as 1967 (or maybe even further back) – but the construct of Jazz Funk had taken its sweet old time. Oiling those acceptance wheels was Miles Davis on Columbia, George Benson on CTI, Earth Wind & Fire on Warner Brothers, Phil Upchurch on Blue Thumb and so many more. But it was the sexy groovy nature of 1973's "Head Hunters" by keyboard whizz-kid Herbie Hancock that made it famous. Recorded in only one day (1 January 1973) – it has been a touch-point for Jazz-Funk nutjobs ever since.
Although it doesn't state who remastered what and where anywhere – I think it's safe to say that this February 2011 variant in the 'Original Columbia Jazz Classics' Series is technically a reissue of the 25 March 1997 CD Remaster done by MARK WILDER for Legacy. And what a glorious racket it makes too – a beautifully full transfer that thumps out those amazing keyboard and percussive grooves across its four full-on cuts. Let's get melted people...
UK/EUROPE released 7 February 2011 - "Head Hunters" by HERBIE HANCOCK on Sony/Columbia/Legacy 88697843472 (Barcode 886978434722) is a straightforward CD Transfer and Remaster (part of the Original COLUMBIA Jazz Classics Series) that plays out as follows (41:47 minutes):
1. Chameleon (15:41 minutes) – Side 1
2. Watermelon Man (6:29 minutes)
3. Sly (10:15 minutes) – Side 2
4. Vein Melter (9:09 minutes)
Tracks 1 to 4 are the album "Head Hunters" – released October 1973 in the USA on Columbia Records KC 32731 and March 1974 in the UK on CBS Records S 65928. Produced by DAVID RUBINSON - Tracks 2, 3 and 4 written by Herbie Hancock with Track 1 being a Herbie Hancock, Paul Jackson and Harvey Mason composition – Track 2 arranged by Harvey Mason.
HERBIE HANCOCK – Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, Horner D6 Clavinet, ARP Odyssey Synthesizer, ARP Soloist Synthesizer and Pipes
BERNIE MAUPIN – Soprano and Tenor Saxophones, Saxello, Bass Clarinet and Alto Flute
PAUL JACKSON – Electric Bass and Marimba
HARVEY MASON – Drums
BILL SUMMERS – Congas, Shekere, Balafon, Agogo, Cabasa, Hindewho Whistle, Tambourine, Log Drum, Surdo, Gankoqui Bells and Beer Bottle
Despite the flashy logo of 'Original COLUMBIA Jazz Classics' on the see-through spine, the gatefold slip of an inlay is a huge disappointment for such an important album. It lists the individual players and instruments for all four tracks, but precious little else. No history, no appreciation, no involvement from the artist. What isn't a let down however is the truly awesome audio. We're not talking loudness wars here, just muscle and clarity in spades. The album was beautifully produced in the first place, but this Remaster has brought out the stunning playing even more.
At just under sixteen minutes, you might think that "Chameleon" overstays its welcome as entry point number one - but not so. The groove is fantastic and allows the players to solo and return to it - synth notes dancing around your speakers - the rhythm section of drums and bass whacking and thumping with equal clarity. His remake of "Watermelon Man" takes it in another direction. It's hard not to overstate the fact that this is Jazz-Funk as opposed to just Jazz - "Head Hunters" actually feeling a little at times like a mission statement - here is the future pal - get used to it.
Jabbing brass notes and drums open the suitably slick "Sly" before it settles into a sort of Miles Davis smooze - the Remaster just amazing as the Bass and Drums do Funk battle. Love that Clavinet break too where it feels like their rehearsing for Todd Rundgren's Utopia and sort Prog Rock opus. Their is a small amount of hiss at the beginning of the bass note intro to "Vein Melter" but it soon disappears as the trippy Saxophone Jazz phrases build - Hancock floating notes across the soundscape as Mason plays that marching drum - so sexy too.
I haven't listened to "Head Hunters" in years - bit of a mistake that - what a belter it is. It was one of the biggest selling Jazz albums for Columbia Records outside of you know who – two innovators – hardly any surprises there then...
