MONOLOG Vinyl & CDs

Review: Yuki Kanesaka returns with a delicious uptempo remix-cover of Herbie Hancock's thoroughgoing jazz patent, 'Watermelon Man'. In respectful contrast to Hancock's original piece, Kanesaka deploys a to-the-letter rendition of the original's opening Hindewhu whistle hoot - also heard on the mashup B-side - and keeps up Hancock's intended 'mathematical balance' with a nonetheless meatier, dance-ready EQ balance. Legend has it that this was Hancock's first ever song to be composed with commercial success in mind; we're not surprised at its continued proliferation, appreciation and reproduction across the globe - and now in Japan, no less.

Review: Dippin' Records second release hears a new project from multi-instrumentalist Yuki Kanesaka, Monolog, taking on two classics from Patrice Rushen and Herbie Hancock respectively. First up and featuring the legend herself on vocals and synth lead, comes a re-performed version of the undeniable Patrice Rushen hit 'Remind Me', with a new twist. The flip, meanwhile, comprises a cover of none other than Herbie Hancock's 'Chameleon', this time hearing Julian Dessler on trumpet and with remaining live instrumentation played and produced entirely by the one-man band Yuki Kanesaka.