He's been on so many classic and historical Blue Note sessions it's ridiculous. Could you imagine Eric Dolphy's Out to Lunch without Bobby's vibes?
Perhaps it's sacrilege, but when I think about that avant-garde jazz masterpiece, Bobby's icy vibes come to the forefront.
Other than Gary Burton, I can think of no other vibraphonist who matches Bobby's combined creativity as a composer and instrumentalist.
Head On is a very cerebral third-stream sort of record. Perhaps even too high-brow and experimental for most. If you have an open mind to classical and avant-garde free bop experimentation, Head On is a pretty interesting listen. Some of the tracks tend to be a little too down tempo and meandering.
The track "Mtume" is the closest in relation to the funky bonus tracks discussed below.
Trust me, don't let the lead off track mini suite "At the Source" throw you off from digging deep into this record on CD form, it picks up steam eventually. I swear, that track's opening in particular, reminds me of a Stan Kenton Bob Graettinger arranged piece, City of Glass.
As interesting, if not enthralling, as the original Head On is, it's the 3 previously unreleased Bonus tracks that stand out on this CD issue. Pure jazz-funk grooving is the best way to describe the nearly 45 minutes of extra music here. Not sure why this music was not released as its own album way back in 1971, or even in 2008 when this Connoisseur Series CD was issued?
Don't forget, those CD bonus tracks are not on the original vinyl
Those of you who are familiar with, and like Donald Byrd's Ethiopian Nights, or Les McCann's Invitation to Openness will eat this up with a spoon. Another album that comes to mind is Freddie Hubbard's CTI records album Straight Life, all be it, not as busy and rock oriented as these bonus tracks are.
In fact, as a monster fan of the Miles Davis electric period, and in particular his band's with guitarist Pete Cosey of the 73' to 75' era; I hear a lot in Head On on those classic live albums, especially Agharta Pangaea, and Dark Magus.
Hutcherson stretches out to great effect on "Togo Land", behind the swirling electric piano and droning bass and rock 101 drumming. The track even starts falling apart at times in much the same way as Miles Davis' "Miles Runs the Voodoo Down"does on Bitches Brew down the stretch.
This music has a lot going on: Drums, bongos, congas, French Horn, Piccolo, vibes, trumpet, saxophone, fender electric piano. It's all about the mood and the groove no doubt on Head On.
If you're not into noodling, swirling jazz funk droning, this music will probably no be as rewarding to to you. The next track, "Jonathan" is more laid back with a very slight island vibe. This track seems to have nothing to do with the bookend bonus tracks, though would have made a nice respite from the harder jazz funk numbers had these 3 tracks been released as its own album.
"Hey Harold" is a 17 minute funk jazz groover, that swirls and cooks up a storm similar to "Togo Land" . I highly recommend this to any jazz funk, free bop, or jazz and funk fan.
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