Recorded live at Town Hall, New York City on February 22, 1985

This was jazz’s return to modality, with a funky twist. By the time this performance took place in 1985, ‘Cantaloupe Island’ had been a jazz standard for over 20 years, having been released in 1964 on Hancock‘s 4th album, ‘Empyrean Isles.’ But it still sounded modern in 1985, as it does nearly 25 years after that.

Featured in the live performance at Town Hall in NYC are Herbie Hancock, piano; Freddie Hubbard, trumpet; Joe Henderson, sax; Ron Carter, bass; Tony Williams, drums.

Here’s another studio offering, ‘Watermelon Man’, from the 1973 album ‘Headhunters’ by Herbie Hancock.