Herbie Hancock Headhunters / MO, USA 11.06.1974 Soundboard Edition & more

This release features a 41-minute studio live recording from November 6th in Bremen, Germany, from Hancock’s Headhunters’ 1974 European tour, captured in the best possible soundboard quality. While the set is compact due to being recorded for broadcast, the drummer is almost entirely the original Headhunters lineup (except for Mike Clarke from the second lineup). Paul Jackson’s funky bass, Mike Clarke’s complex drumming, and Benny Maupin’s sharp saxophone create an incredibly powerful, soulful groove while maintaining the band’s cohesion. The second half includes a nearly complete 1 hour and 25 minute recording from their North American tour that same year, recorded on October 16th in Kansas City, using a good audience master and the latest digital remastering. Although there are some incomplete parts and tape distortions due to age, this was already a well-known classic recording, and with the latest 2026 equipment applied for pitch correction and hiss noise reduction, it is presented here in the best possible quality. Then, starting with the tour the year after the release of ‘Head Hunters,’ from the opening track “Palm Grease” to the final “Chameleon,” their performance was simply phenomenal, full throttle, never letting up. In particular, the super-fast, high-energy “Sly” featured Paul Jackson’s funky bass, Mike Clark’s odd-time signature drumming, and Benny Maupin’s sharp saxophone, creating a sense of unity within the band, and the resulting pitch-black groove was simply overwhelming. DISC 1 : 1. BUTTERFLY 2. SPANK-A-LEE 3. SHEKERE 4. CHAMELEON at Bremen Sendesaal, Bremen, Germany, November 6th 1974 : Soundboard Recording 5. PALM GREASE 6. SLY DISC 2 : 1. Introductions to BUTTERFLY 2. BUTTERFLY 3. Band Introductions with Jam 4. SPANK-A-LEE 5. HOMETS 6. SHEKERE 7. CHAMELEON 8. WATERMELON MAN at Midland Theatre, Kansas City, MO, USA, October 16th 1974 : Audience Recording / 2026 Remaster Herbie Hancock – keyboards / Bennie Maupin – saxophones / Paul Jackson – electric bass / Mike Clark – drums / Bill Summers – percussion