New Orleans more thoroughly invades The Headhunters on Speakers in the House, boasting local musicians, including founding member percussionist Bill Summers, Donald Harrison as the sole saxophonist and trumpeter Ashlin Parker, onboard for the first time. Of course, the band wouldn’t be The Headhunters without drummer extraordinaire Mike Clark, who was by Herbie Hancock’s side when the pianist formed the group way back in 1973.

With its second line rhythm touched with Black Indian beats, “Rockin’ at the Mole House,” definitely shouts New Orleans as does, to a lesser extent, the funk/fusion of “HH 75.” On the former, Harrison brings the tune home to the birthplace of jazz.

“Over the Bar,” a fun tune, has some funk to it too with pianist Stephen Gordon comin’ on strong followed by some hard plunkin’ by bassist Reggie Washington.

The strength of Speakers in the House comes first from the excellence of the musicians—though also through its diversity in remembering its important roots in the original group that brought a new, innovative sounds to jazz. Meanwhile, the music isn’t stuck in a time warp here as it expands its horizons. The album begins with the soft sound of Fode Sissoko’s kora and voice on “Kongo Square” the melody of which is taken up by Harrison and Parker on sax and trumpet, respectively. It climaxes in the Latin jazz world. Sounds good, right? Right.