Owl Studios is proud to confirm a May 10, 2011 release date for the bawdy, soulful new CD ‘Platinum’, by Jazz/funk/fusion legends THE HEADHUNTERS. The upcoming album features special appearances by Snoop Dogg, George Clinton, Killah Priest, Del the Funky Homosapien and others, as the pioneering band lays down the grooves that let their guest vocalists/rappers shine. The amalgam of rhythm, melody and spoken word represents, in the words of Headhunters percussionist Bill Summers, a “true fusion of Hip Hop, Jazz, Rap, Salsa, Rock, New Orleans, African rhythm and its classical forms.” The concept behind the new album is fitting – as noted in a recent article: “Jazz/fusion groundbreakers the Headhunters have been sampled by countless hip-hop and pop artists. These days, the band is incorporating rap and hip-hop into its own sound.”
The exciting project was recently previewed by JAZZIZ.com and will soon be featured in the February issue of DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE. The Headhunters offered fans a sneak peek of the album during a U.S. tour in November – in advance of a local concert, The Philadelphia Inquirer hailed them as “one of the most innovative groups in history.” Legendary Headhunters drummer Mike Clark commented: “I think people are going to really enjoy the Headhunters’ newest effort. Some of the finest musicians playing some killer funk, which is always a lot of fun. This time we stir it up with spoken word from a multi generational mix of artists, telling it like it is and always has been.” See press coverage from the past few weeks, below.
Surprises abound on the new CD – ‘D-Funk’ is a bawdy romp featuring both Snoop Dogg and George Clinton (and is the track most likely to earn Owl Studios its first-ever ‘Explicit Content’ sticker!); ‘Salamander’ is a funky instrumental groove, a late-night hip grinder in which each member of The Headhunters gets his moment to shine; ‘Mission Statement’ is simply bad-ass, as guest rapper Jaecyn Bayne nails this one (as, of course, does the band,) asserting a memorable hook that will surely emerge as one of the highlights of the album. Advance copies will be available soon.
Artists appearing on The Headhunters’ ‘Platinum’ album include: Bill Summers – percussion; Mike Clark – drums; Rob Dixon – tenor sax; Derrick Gardner – trumpet; Donald Harrison – alto sax; Richie Goods –bass; Kyle Roussel – keys; Patrice Rushen – keys; Bennie Maupin – tenor sax and bass clarinet. Guest Artists on the album (subject to change) include: Killah Priest; Del the Funky Homosapien; Jaecyn Bayne; Kentyah Fraser; Snoop Dogg; George Clinton.
