The Headhunters: If You Got It, You'll Get It
Track
If You Got It You'll Get It
Group
The Headhunters
CD
Survival of the Fittest (Arista)
Musicians:
Paul Jackson (bass), Mike Clark (drums, vocals), Bill Summers (percussion), Bennie Maupin (tenor sax, saxello, bass clarinet), Harvey Mason (percussion),
Blackbird McKnight (guitar, vocals)
.Composed by Paul Jackson, Mike Clarke, Bennie Maupin and Blackbird McKnight
.Recorded: 1975
Rating: 90/100 (learn more)
When you talk a band bringing the funk, you've got to talk about the Headhunters. Fresh off of several albums with Herbie Hancock, the backing band of Mike Clark, Paul Jackson, Bennie Maupin and original Headhunters drummer Harvey Mason created an epic funk masterpiece for this 1975 Arista release. Partly produced by Herbie Hancock, "If You Got It, You'll Get It" features guitarist Blackbird McKnight and Mike Clark on vocals and they do a pretty good job of making this track work. The words aren't by any means rocket science, but neither is funk music and that's why it works so well.
The song opens up with a East Asian/African influenced string line over some nice percussion. Then Paul Jackson throws down the anchor and the funk begins. The song is highlighted by a screeching guitar solo by McKnight, which kindly walks the gray line between tonal and atonal. Overall, this song is a gem on an album that has been largely overlooked by jazz heads and more embraced by hip-hop heads for its drum breaks and sample friendly grooves. Go get this, you won't be disappointed and if you are, call me and I"ll buy it from you!
Reviewer: Jared Pauley
Tags: 1970s jazz · funk
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