1974
Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters
A long set by Hancock’s classic Headhunters
After leaving Miles Davis in 1968, Herbie Hancock put together an impressive and flexible sextet that only gained an indifferent response from the public.
In 1973 Hancock changed directions, forming the influential funk-jazz group the Headhunters which was comprised of his keyboards, Bennie Maupin (a holdover from the sextet) on reeds, electric bassist Paul Jackson, drummer Harvey Mason and percussionist Bill Summers.
This hour-long set features the Headhunters in 1974 performing a lengthy medley of “Palm Grease” and “Sly,” plus “Butterfly,” “Spank A Lee” and “Chameleon.”
The music is danceable, adventurous in its own way, and quite funky.
-Scott Yanow