Well, it is true that men are always noticing and comparing melons 😊.
You're definitely not imagining the similarities between the two. First of all, they are both in the same key (F). They are both modal tunes with few chord changes and changing in four or eight measure phrases. Both also have a very similar rhythmic feel even WM is usually done a little faster than CI. The Watermelon Man groove is really a Latin groove very similar to the Cuban "guajira" beat and Cantaloupe Island has a very similar rhythm. Nice catch.
You're definitely not imagining the similarities between the two. First of all, they are both in the same key (F). They are both modal tunes with few chord changes and changing in four or eight measure phrases. Both also have a very similar rhythmic feel even WM is usually done a little faster than CI. The Watermelon Man groove is really a Latin groove very similar to the Cuban "guajira" beat and Cantaloupe Island has a very similar rhythm. Nice catch.