THE HEADHUNTERS — Return of the Headhunters (review)

THE HEADHUNTERS — Return of the Headhunters album cover Album · 1998 · Funk Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
2.5/5 ·
js
When the Headhunters reformed in 1998 to record a new album, expectations were running high as to what one of the greatest funk fusion bands of all time would create during a time when interest in funk jazz was making a big comeback thanks to increased exposure via the youthful acid jazz scene. I had hopes the Headhunters would either jump on the new 90s electronica influenced jazz scene, or possibly take their past work to a new level, but after a few listens I realized neither had happened and quickly discarded this CD. Fortunately a recent re-visit to “Return of the Headhunters” has revealed a few nice cuts, but its true, this one sounded out of date amongst the acid jazz of its time, and is also no match for the Headhunters more illustrious past.

Part of the problem with this CD is a lack of focus and cohesion. There are a couple of vocal numbers that are not remarkable, a couple cuts that try unsuccessfully for a 70s type avant-garde experimentation and some semi-commercial funk/hip hop jazz numbers that are the best of the lot. On some of these funk jazz numbers the band relaxes and pulls off the hot solos they are known for. Although Herbie Hancock is no longer a regular member of the Headhunters, he makes an appearance on a couple tunes. On the other cuts virtuoso keyboardist Billy Childs does a great job at what almost sounds like a toungue-in-cheek impression of Herbie. Certainly Childs has always been influenced by Hancock, but on this album he seems to go out of his way to channel Herbie’s past work with the Headhunters. I’m sure Childs had fun paying tribute to one of his main influences. Some top cuts on here include “Frankie and Kevin” which recalls the space lounge vibe of the Headhunter’s classic “Butterfly”, and “Kawanzaa” with its irresistible African flavored riffs and high powered piano solo from Childs.

There was probably no way this CD could have met everyone’s expectations when it first came out, fortunately with the passing of time it turns out that about half of this CD is good modern funk jazz played by the guys who helped invent this stuff.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Mikolaj Trzaska, Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, Paal Nilssen-Love : The Last Temple vol.3 Avant-Garde Jazz
MIKOŁAJ TRZASKA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Mikolaj Trzaska, Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, Paal Nilssen-Love : The Last Temple, Vol.1 Avant-Garde Jazz
MIKOŁAJ TRZASKA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Mikołaj Trzaska / Ingebrigt Håker Flaten / Paal Nilssen-Love : The Last Temple Vol.2 Avant-Garde Jazz
MIKOŁAJ TRZASKA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Sustain Avant-Garde Jazz
AALY TRIO
Buy this album from MMA partners
Sunset Park Post Bop
TOBIAS MEINHART
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

FASCINATING RHYTHM - The Amazing Keystone Big Band feat. Neima Naouri
THE AMAZING KEYSTONE BIG BAND
snobb· 1 day ago
Alicante
RENAUD GARCIA-FONS
js· 1 day ago
She's Forty with Me
WILTON CRAWLEY
js· 1 day ago
Tall Tillie's Too Tight
WILTON CRAWLEY
js· 1 day ago
Rhoda Scott Ladies and Gentlemen - special guest : David Linx
RHODA SCOTT
snobb· 1 day ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed