What a great song to have on your desert island, I mean.., it’s just made for it. I’ve always loved this song, it gets your feet tappin’ and that’s what it’s all about. It’s a nice bit of Latin Jazz which is perfect to have playing through the laptop while I’m working on my new abode, and cracking open the watermelons I’ve harvested.., oh yes!.. this is desert island paradise music alright.
The song was originally written and recorded by Herbie Hancock in 1962, excellent record. But my favourite version is the one I’m posting here, recorded one year later by Ramón “Mongo” Santamaria, a Cuban latin jazz purcussionist. His version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998…, and deservedly so, I reckon. It’s a totally cool track and would have to be in my island collection without a doubt. It was a surprise hit when he realeased it…, surprise?…., why??… it’s brilliant, and if this doesn’t get your hips swaying then you must be made of wood.
Watermelon for tea tonight on the beach, accompanied by ol’ Mongo and his jazzband, does it get any better?… so if you’d care to join me for a quick Rumba, I’ll be on the shoreline up there.
It takes a few seconds before the song starts playing on this (12 to be exact) so give it chance to get going, it’s worth it.
