HERBIE HANCOCK — Man-Child (review)

HERBIE HANCOCK — Man-Child album cover Album · 1975 · Funk Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
dreadpirateroberts
Hancock takes a big step into funk.

And leaves behind some of the jazz. But this is still complex, multilayered funk that, for most of the album, is a real monster. While Hancock augments the Headhunter band with extra musicians and a couple of guests (Stevie Wonder and Wayne Shorter on 'The Traior') the real focus is on the riff-based approach to the compositions, rather than any stand out soloist. Instead of longer soloing over layered compositions that stretch out, it's shorter, compact solos over layered funk rhythms and horn sections.

Guitar is introduced on this album and it changes the sound somewhat, adding a welcome new texture, but hints of that spacier jazz sound linger, especially with the rhodes and synth on 'Sun Touch.'

Overall, the focus here is on funk, with the album split equally between slower funk pieces and uptempo funk workouts that are swimming with great beats and compact solos. In fact, for me it'd be great to have those solos expanded a little - as they would live - but here it's not a huge problem. The sound is quite crisp and is, as already described in better reviews than mine, quite slick. But it's clear and uncluttered in the end, so not much to complain about there.

Not every composition is magic - 'The Traitor' doesn't really live up to the stupendous opener, nor does 'Steppin' in It' but 'Sun Touch' and 'Heartbeat' are right on the money. 'Hand Up Your Hang Ups' however, is a powerhouse that never fails to raise the pulse. It's just so damn funky, it punches out of the speakers with its choppy horns and insistent beat, and even comes with an outro reminiscent of 'Chameleon's' middle section, with its acoustic piano solo.

From song to song this doesn't rate as a masterpiece for me, but it's confident, complex funk, whether on the slow numbers or the fast ones. Headhunter era Herbie Hancock fans who don't have this should pick it up.
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