Survival of the Fittest continues to be rediscovered by new generations of listeners and musicians. As jazz-fusion-funk expert Christian Genzel writes in his liner notes for the new issue of this classic album: “Survival of the Fittest is the ultimate space-funk album. Even 36 years after its release, the music feels alive and one of the reasons for its longevity is the fact that some of it is the DNA for today’s funk and hip hop”. Legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock originally assembled The Headhunters in 1973 as his backing band for his seminal Head Hunters album. Following another Hancock album, Thrust, The Headhunters struck out on their own with debut album Survival of the Fittest. The line-up comprised Bennie Maupin (saxophone), Bill Summers (percussion), Paul Jackson (bass), Michael Clark (drums) and DeWayne ‘Blackbird’ McKnight (guitar) who later joined George Clinton’s P-Funk band. The interplay between all musicians is tighter than tight, especially in the rhythm section which effortlessly makes everything groove and move. Highlights include ‘God Make Me Funky’ (featuring the Pointers Sisters on backing vocals), ‘Daffy’s Dance’ and ‘If You’ve Got It, You’ll Get It’. As a bonus we’ve added a whopping seven tracks from the follow-up album Straight from the Gate.
