THE ATLANTIC SOUNDS

Although both "Pata Pata" and "Blast Off" are credited to the Atlantic Sounds on the Atlantic 45-2468 single "Blast Off" was actually recorded by King Curtis & Bonnie Floyd. The two Bonnie Floyd tracks recorded in the same session don't feature King Curtis according to the log, and it's impossible to tell by listening to them as they are (as far as I know) still unreleased. Hendrix's participation in "Blast Off" is not confirmed. If he did play on the track then it's possible that he's also on the tracks credited to Bonnie Floyd solo although if he was at the session as part of King Curtis's band then he probably isn't.

It is confirmed that Jimi was playing with King Curtis around this time, photos taken at a concert 5 May 1966 prove this (see the Percy Sledge -entry). There doesn't however seem to be any sort of documentation confirming Jimi's involvement in "Blast Off", the guitar solo is very likely played by Cornell Dupree, the rhythm guitar part might be Jimi but as it's just a simple repetitive riff it's very hard to tell.


Bonnie Floyd
Atlantic Studios, NYC 31 May 1966

10360 Castle For Two
10361 Let Them Talk


King Curtis & Bonnie Floyd

Atlantic Studios, NYC 31 May 1966

10362 Blast Off
drums - unknown
bass - unknown
lead guitar - Cornell Dupree?
rhythm guitar - Jimi Hendrix?
organ - unknown
tenor sax - King Curtis
vocals - ("5,4,3,2,1") King Curtis & Bonnie Floyd?

Original single mix, in mono.
Available on: 7" The Atlantic Sounds: Pata Pata / Blast Off (Atlantic 45-2468).

The numbers in front of the titles indicate Atlantic master tape numbers, the same numbers are used for the matrix numbers on Atlantic/Atco single releases. The Atlantic log doesn't list any of the personnel on these recordings (besides King Curtis & Bonnie Floyd).

The A-side of the single, "Pata Pata" was recorded by the Atlantic Sounds, and doesn't feature Hendrix:

The Atlantic Sounds
Atlantic Studios, NYC, 24 October 1967 and features:

13361 Pata Pata
tenor sax - King Curtis
trumpet - Melvin Lastie
trumpet - Joe Newman
tenor sax & flute - Hubert Laws
guitar - Ronnie Miller
piano - Neal Creque?
bass - Chuck Rainey
drums - Leo Morris
percussion - unknown

Original single mix, in mono.
Available on: 7" The Atlantic Sounds: Pata Pata / Blast Off (Atlantic 45-2468).