Herbie Hancock and Friends - Spotlight (Day 4)

Hey there. We'll jump back into 1973 for a moment and take a look at one of the most successful jazz albums of all time. Head Hunters began Herbie's shift to jazz-funk and while not everyone at the time was on board, I think it's safe to say Herbie got the last laugh. The first jazz album to go platinum, Head Hunters also has some of the most recognizable tunes from the genre. In my opinion, the next few years and the accompanying releases we'll cover are as good as it gets. 

Herbie Hancock - Fender Rhodes, clavinet, synthesizer, pipes.
Bennie Maupin - Soprano and tenor sax, alto flute, bass clarinet, saxello.
Paul Jackson - Electric bass.
Bill Summers - Percussion.
Harvey Mason - Drums.

We open with the classic, quintessential Hancock tune in, "Chameleon." I really dig the change at around the 8 minute mark when Herbie jumps on the Rhodes. Afterward, and 2nd only to "Chameleon" we have "Watermelon Man" but to me, the real gem of this album is the high-energy "Sly." We calm things down and close with "Vein Melter."

Next up for us is an absolute gem of an album in Thrust. Released in September of 1974, the same group returns with the exception of drummer Harvey Mason. In his place, the group added Mike Clark. 

Herbie Hancock - Fender Rhodes, clavinet, synthesizer.
Bennie Maupin - Soprano and tenor sax, alto flute, bass clarinet.
Paul Jackson - Electric bass.
Bill Summers - Percussion.
Mike Clark - Drums.

This album might be as good as any other we cover. There really isn't a weak point. We open with "Palm Grease" which has an excellent groove and we follow up with "Actual Proof" which features Clark's crisp drumming. We also have a nice touch from Maupin on flute, Jackson on bass and Herbie on the Rhodes and the clav. Next up we have a beautiful tune in "Butterfly" that features Maupin on bass clarinet - a sound synonymous with the group. Again we have great chemistry between Clark and Jackson as Maupin moves over to sax. Herbie then goes on to shred the Rhodes and clav. Just fantastic stuff. Not the last time we'll encounter this one. The closing "Spank-A-Lee" is a Jackson/Clark tune with great energy. Clark, Jackson and Summers set a great stage for Herbie to come in on synthesizer and Maupin on tenor. Another amazing album through and through.

Amidst this time Herbie had a few additional releases - a solo album and a film soundtrack. First we'll look at Dedication, a solo album recorded in Tokyo and released in September of 1974 and right around the same time as Thrust. The first 2 tunes are acoustic piano and the remaining 2 are electric. We have nice renditions of "Maiden Voyage" and "Dolphin Dance" on the acoustic with "Nobu" and "Cantaloupe Island" on electric. I pretty much always prefer electric stuff but this one is a great listen from start to finish. 

Also released in the fall of 1974 was the Death Wish soundtrack for the motion picture featuring actor Charles Bronson. Herbie was joined by the Headhunters band along with various session musicians. Like a lot of soundtracks, there's some randomness to this one. Of course the oft-sampled opening theme is great, as is "Joanna's Theme." I also dig "Party People" and "Fill Your Hand" but otherwise this isn't one I return to very often.

Enjoy!