Tuesday, November 16, 2004

taking a cover to a new level



Rewind 3- Original Classics Rewound (Ubiquity Records)

Jeremy Ellis- "Chameleon" MP3

I picked up a great double vinyl comp from Ubiquity titled "Rewind V.3". The album is a compilation of cover songs produced by modern day artists who recorded new versions of songs that inspired them. Everyone from Gil Scott Heron to the Monkees get a re-working by such producers and bands such as DJ Greyboy, Antibalas, and P'Taah. The track that stood out for me is Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon" because Jeremly Ellis did the unthinkable- he didnt just record a new version of the tune, he re-created it, note for note.
Ubiquity said:
"Jeremy Ellis aka Ayro is mad or a genius, or possibly both. Who else would take it upon himself to reproduce the epic "Chameleon" by Herbie Hancock note for note, drum fill for drum fill, every phrase and sound - that's what he did on the Rewind 12", the version featured here is edited down to 8 minutes to allow for a few more tracks to squeeze on the comp! Ex-Detroit buddy Recloose said, "It's unreal how spot on this is! What a feat!" Why do it? Why not! If Frank De Jojo can do "Turn Off The Lights" and 4Hero "Les Fleurs" why shouldn't the talented keyboard player and programmer from the Motor City show he's got the patience and the chops?…"

Buy this record or cd here: Ubiquity Records

3 comments:

avocado kid said...

umm, why? i just don't get it. if it's a note-for-note recreation, why bother listening to it instead of reaching for the herbie? I can see doing it as an academic exercise... but not as an artistic interpretation...

avocado kid said...

on further listening, i'd say this isn't an exact reproduction - it's got a stiffness not found in the original! and it lacks the analogy richness of the timbre of the original instruments.

it is a curious enterprise, for sure...

Ben Silver said...

just because it is note for note doesn't mean it has to sounds exactly the same. He probably used different synths than Herbie and definetely tweaked them a bit different. Interesting to say the least and yes, I think he wanted to test himself similar to how young jazz musicians would attempt to learn "giant steps" note for note.