It was recorded by Roberta Flack in February 1969 for her debut album First Take, but became better known following a performance by Les McCann (piano and vocals) and Eddie Harris (tenor saxophone) at the Montreux Jazz Festival in June of that year.
The song appeared as the opening track on their 1969 album Swiss Movement on the Atlantic label, which was certified Gold in sales in the United States.
[15] McCann (piano) and Harris (tenor saxophone) had performed earlier at the 1969 Montreux Jazz Festival and agreed to play together on June 21, 1969, with Benny Bailey (trumpet), Leroy Vinnegar (bass), and Donald Dean (drums).
[3] Their version of the song appeared on the album Swiss Movement; the single sold over a million copies and reached No.
[17] The commercial success of the McCann-Harris version allowed McDaniels to stop singing in night clubs.
Paste magazine described the performance as a "foot-stomping, full blown funky jazz blowout" and adds: "Auger's bluesy Hammond organ licks have a timeless appeal and he and the group's offbeat humor are apparent throughout.