Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse is an album by the American musician Eugene McDaniels, released in 1971.[2][3] Spiro Agnew allegedly asked Atlantic Records to withdraw it from stores.[4] It was issued on compact disc in 2001.[5]
| Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1971 | |||
| Recorded | 1971 | |||
| Studio | Atlantic Recording Studio Regent Sound Studio (New York City) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 37:50 | |||
| Label | Label M Atlantic Water | |||
| Producer | Joel Dorn | |||
| Eugene McDaniels chronology | ||||
| ||||
Overview
editThe album is dedicated to Roberta Flack: "Special thanks to Miss Roberta Flack for not being afraid to help a brother. She, in my opinion, is a lady of quality, grace, humanity and talent of the highest order. I love you, Bert-G."
Several of the songs have been sampled by hip hop producers, including Pete Rock, Q-Tip, and Beastie Boys.[6][7] The vinyl album became an expensive collector's item.[8]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [9] |
| Pitchfork | 8.7/10[10] |
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald noted that "the backups are crisp and informal, while the female vocal matches [McDaniels] beautifully."[11]
The Boston Phoenix wrote that the album "occupies a funky fringe backwater where soul, rock, R&B, and the protest song aligned with identity politics, theology, astrology, urban affairs, hallucinogenic drugs, and black revolution."[12]
Track listing
editAll tracks composed by Eugene McDaniels; except where noted.
- "The Lord Is Back" (McDaniels, Dwight Singleton) - 3:19
- "Jagger the Dagger" – 6:02
- "Lovin' Man" – 4:47
- "Headless Heroes" – 3:32
- "Susan Jane" – 2:10
- "Freedom Death Dance" – 4:16
- "Supermarket Blues" – 4:08
- "The Parasite (For Buffy)" – 9:36
Personnel
edit- Harry Whitaker - piano, musical director
- Gary King - electric bass
- Miroslav Vitouš - acoustic bass
- Alphonse Mouzon - drums
- Richard Resnicoff - guitar
- Carla Cargill - female vocals
- Technical
- Lew Hahn - recording and remixing engineer
- Patrick Roques - art direction and design
- Bill Del Conte - photography
- Harvey Konigsberg - samurai painting
References
edit- ^ a b Breihan, Tom (May 29, 2019). "The Number Ones: Roberta Flack's "Feel Like Makin' Love"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
...his career culminated in the release of his bugged-out 1971 psychedelic jazz-funk album Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse...
- ^ Campbell, Scott (30 May 1971). "Rock". The Arizona Republic. p. 4N.
- ^ Williams, Richard (16 Aug 2011). "Obituary: Gene McDaniels: Versatile singer and songwriter famed for Feel Like Makin' Love". Obituaries. The Guardian. p. 40.
- ^ "Eugene McDaniels: Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse". All About Jazz. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ Harrison, Keith (2 Aug 2001). "Rock Notes". Extra!. The Times-Independent. p. 4.
- ^ Moon, Tom (2008). 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die. Workman Publishing Company. p. 487.
- ^ Takiff, Jonathan (24 Apr 2001). "In stores today". Features. Philadelphia Daily News. p. 40.
- ^ Finn, Timothy (May 4, 2001). "Power to the spoken word". Preview. The Kansas City Star. p. 14.
- ^ "Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse Review by John Duffy". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ "Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse". Pitchfork. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ Ursul, Robert G. (11 Aug 1971). "Records". Hawaii Tribune-Herald. p. 12.
- ^ Robins, Wayne (July 12, 2001). "Off the Record". The Boston Phoenix.