VARIOUS ARTISTS / “Watermelon Man Mixtape”
Yes, yes yall, it’s Herbie Hancock with his funky “Watermelon Man” song, flipped and tripping out 18 different ways PLUS a short interview segment in which Herbie talks about the second of three major hit versions of the song.
Hit version number one was on Herbie’s first release as a leader. Hit number two was by Mongo Santamaria. Herbie explains how that came about right before we hear Mongo tear it up at Montreaux. Hit number three was Herbie and the Headhunters. The original 1962 version opens the Mixtape, Herbie’s interview is in the middle and the Headhunters close us out.
In between all of that is some unexpected and tres interesting takes on a song that has probably been recorded more than any other Herbie song. Imagine everybody from Count Basie to Jimmy Smith, plus some Jamaican and Brazilian takes, and even a New Orleans brass band with rap version.
There’s not much to analyze. This is kick up your heels and have a good time music. So, enjoy.
—Kalamu ya Salaam
Watermelon Man Mixtape Playlist
01 Best Of Herbie Hancock – Herbie Hancock
02 Swingin' Till the Girls Come Home - Lambert, Hendricks & Bavan
03 Count Basie Picks The Winners - Count Basie
04 Here & Now - Paul Finnerty's Riff Raff Jazz Band
05 Get Real - Rob Christian
06 The Jamaican Beat - Jazz Jamaica
07 Fretish - Victor Saumarez
08 Accents - Scott Feiner & Pandeiro Jazz
09 Simply - Natural Carla Cook
10 Bopa II Opera - WonderBrazz
11 Latin Jazz - Recife All Stars
12 ACJazz - ACJazz
13 Herbie Hancock on "Watermelon Man" - Talking Jazz Singles - Ben Sidran
14 Montreux Heat! - Mongo Santamaria
15 Urbanator - Urbanator (featuring Herbie Hancock)
16 La Trenggae - Taxi Gang + Dean & David
17 Damn! - Jimmy Smith
18 Soul Food For Thought - Vanessa Rodrigues
19 Head Hunters - Herbie Hancock
This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 at 4:18 am and is filed under Cover. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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