The Stunt Man

In 2023 the New Orleans-based Headhunters broke a 12-year recording hiatus with the excellent Speakers in the House, a studio album recorded in 2018. They followed with the smoking Live from Brooklyn Bowl, recorded on-stage in February 2023. The Stunt Man was recorded at Hyde Street Studios in San Franciscos Tenderloin district. It was co-produced by members Bill Summers (percussion) and Mike Clark (drums) with veteran Hyde Street engineer Chris McGrew. Summers, Clark, and Donald Harrison (alto saxophone) make up the core group and add in-demand NOLA-based pianist/keyboardist Kyle Roussel and veteran bassist Chris Severin. The opening title track is a bumping jazz-funk jam with traces of NOLA second line, contemporary jazz, and club grooves. Particularly notable are solid solos from Harrison and Roussel; the latter layers piano, organ, and synths. Its followed by "Attitude of Gratitude," a keyboard-driven contemporary jazz jaunt led by piano and keyboards. Clarks breakbeats and fills add heft, offering the necessary depth for Severins creative yet meaty bass solo up top. The Headhunters deal out a surprise with the addition of two standards arranged and recorded with their inimitable musical signature. George Gershwins "Embraceable You" is up first. Its introduced by a series of double-time breaks from Clark guiding the flow. Rhodes piano delivers the changes as Harrison carries the iconic melody while adding syncopated, soulful accents while Summers hand percussion provides beat-centric ballast for Clark as well as Severin. Its followed by a bracing, funky reading of Wayne Shorters iconic "E.S.P." It was originally recorded in January 1965 as the title cut for Shorters recording debut with the second Miles Davis Quintet. Introduced by a roiling bassline over Clarks kit, the fragmented yet easily identifiable groove is infectious as Harrison, guest saxophonist Craig Handy, and Roussel wind around one another while the keyboardist and percussionist build a lithe foundation. The solos by the saxophonists are sophisticated, meaty, and soulful, and account for it being an album highlight. "Avant Clark" is, as might be expected, a rhythmic workout. Clark plays unaccompanied for the first minute. Hes joined first by Summers, then Harrison, Roussel, and Severin. They meld rhythms and harmonies from the Caribbean, NOLA, and street funk. Harrisons "Sand Castle Headhunter" is the sets longest jam. Its deeply episodic across nine-and-a-half minutes. The saxophonist provides harmonic guidance as the rhythm section instinctively follows his changes. When not spitting out biting vamps, Harrisons solo offers astonishing motivic ideas as he moves across contemporary jazz, R&B, Afrobeat, and funk while channeling the ghost of Grover Washington, Jr. Roussel and Severin play an interlocked groove in supportive interplay between Summers and Clark. "New Levels -- New Devils" is the set closer. It includes Ropeadope signees Forward Back, who add vocals, additional keys, and programming at the intersection of 21st century R&B, hip-hop, and funky jazz. There are no weak moments on The Stunt Man: It is all inspiration and groove, as well as early proof that the Headhunters would be in top form on their international support tour. ~ Thom Jurek