Style:

Initially introduced with a boogaloo groove, it is commonly approached as a funk piece.

Form:

A-B (16 Bars) [8-8]

Arrangements:

The head is commonly played twice on the way in and out.

Key:

F Major

Harmony/Overview:

The harmony of this composition is simple, using only three different chords in total. It has a modal quality to it given that each chord lasts for several bars at a time. It moves through Fmin7, Db7, and Dmi7. The shots that are used at the beginning of the B section are often carried out throughout the solo sections.

Recordings:

This song has been recorded over 95 times to date. It was first introduced on the album Empyrean Isles, and Herbie Hancock would also record it on the album Dedication, and One Night With Blue Note Preserved. It is one of his most popular compositions, and its simplicity has made it especially popular among students.

JGC Top Picks:

Herbie Hancock, Dedication, 1974

Herbie Hancock, One Night With Blue Note Preserved, 1985

Poncho Sanchez, Psychedelic Blues, 2009