Flood cover
Released

A Japan-only double live album from the height of Hancock’s funk-fusion period, this kicks off with a solo piano version of “Maiden Voyage,” but after that it’s all groove from an expanded version of the Headhunters. The music gets tighter, harder and heavier with every track, and peaks with a stomping, squelching, 10-minute version of “Chameleon” on which Bennie Maupin does his best imitation of James Brown saxophonist Robert “Chopper” McCullough, and a nearly 20-minute version of “Hang Up Your Hang Ups” where Mike Clark’s groove is so taut and ferocious it’ll make your spine fuse.

Phil Freeman

Recommended by

Suggestions
Astral Traveling cover

Astral Traveling

Lonnie Liston Smith
The Melodic Line cover

The Melodic Line

Vincent Courtois, Reverso, Frank Woeste, Ryan Keberle
Seven cover

Seven

Cameron Graves
Suite for Max Brown cover

Suite for Max Brown

The New Breed, Jeff Parker
Sunburst cover

Sunburst

Eddie Henderson
Hot Rats cover

Hot Rats

Frank Zappa
House Party cover

House Party

Jimmy Smith
Gotta Groove cover

Gotta Groove

The Bar-Kays