Red Rodney - Charles Telerant - Chris Potter

I was honored and fortunate to be included in one of the earliest
jazz-hip hop collaborations : Ex -Charlie Parker (he replaced Miles
and was portrayed as "Albino Red" in the movie "Bird" w Forrest
Whitaker). The cut featured Dave Kikoski, and was Chris Potter's first
ever record date, ever. Bob Belden produced and arranged. I had less
than two days notice to write and perform it ; unlike most rappers I
write s-l-o-w-l-y. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Red,
like me spoke fluent Yiddish . Unfortunatly I was also surprised to
Lear I had to change the lyrics. "This is fight night, ought sight
"was changed from the original "This is dope, hype, outa site". Red
was a recovered ex-junkie and didn't want any references to dope or
needles. He didn't know that "Dope" and "Hype" were old school
adjectives that had nothing to do with drugs, but there was no telling
him.
Also "Tell on the guard and he'll bust knees, (he) looks like Rick
Dees: I just wanna be free" tuned into "looks like Fat Louie" on Red's
insistence. He loved it because there really was (a drug dealer or
underworld type character named "Fat Louie" around that time. But as a
line, it didn't work. Whatever. I,
being a drummer programmed a nice swinging jazz-hop rhythm to use but
unbeknownst to me, the rhythm track had been recorded already as a
basic track that sounded wooden to me and was very hard to groove
with. Other than that, almost everyone who's heard this remarked on
Bob Belden's arrangement. He only had a single Yamaha dx7ll , and he made the most of it.

It all had a Zawinul type Weather Report feel to it which was cool.
That's one of Belden's great strenghts. He's known for being able to
write an intricate big band chart in ten minutes.
The descending chromatic bassline, taken from the head was my idea.
On the blowing part they switched off the drum machine and I must say,
drummer Jimmy Madison drummed up the perfect storm, a Jack Dejohnette
trifecta, perfect for the track. Dave Kikowski complimented my lyrics
then said to Red, "Unbelievable solo". And it was: It was a great
solo.
Then there was a conflict between Bob and me: I wanted to rap the
lyrics hapoy and bouncy, like in my Hawain Punch commercial(see
charlestelerant.com) but Bob wanted it darker and more sinister which
was a mistake I thought and still think so. It came off kind of
"feaux". So we came to an impasse: it was either his way or the
highway so I did the best I could to accomodate him. This has been my
curse in the hip-hop field. A dyed in the wool rapper they tend to
leave alone , but me, they gotta f--- with. Every time. I remember
going into the offices of Andre Harrell (Uptown Records) and every
time as soon as execs would see me they'd say "Weird Al Yancovic".
Pllus Bob was my neighbor, he used to see me do the impressions of
Rakim when I played the streets so he knew I could do it if pressed. I
was extremly upset that day and almost walked out , but after it came
out, I got lots of positive feedback. Now, 20 years later, though I
still disagree w Belden's call, I appreciate his allowing me to be a
part of jazz-hop history. I remember sitting on a CMJ fesival panel w
Greg Osby after he did the" Tribe Called Quest" stuff and debating
the stage of jazz hop. All in all , big ups to Red Rodney and Bob
Belden. And dig Chris Potters Echo-Plex alto solo! And that folks is
my own personal "Behind The Music".

--------------

I'd like to thank Tony Miceli, one of the (very) best musicians I know
(vibes) and who runs THE instructional website for vibes,
www.Vibesworkshop.com, featuring lessions by Tony, Joe Locke, Gary
Burton, Dave Friedman, etc.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Charles Telerant
• Red Rodney
• Chris Potter
• Red Alert
• Jazz
• Rap
• Fusion

[nazi496]

good:)

[Alexisouvlitzis]

Yeah Charlie!

And the irony with Red also being that Moose the Mooche supposedly refereed to one of Bird's dealers

[MissHypatia]

That's awesome Charles!

[SingerExpress]

I like this!!