Joe Henderson - The Elements

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow

This is one of the odder Joe Henderson recordings. The four lengthy selections not only feature the great tenor-saxophonist but the piano and harp of Alice Coltrane (during one of her rare appearances as a sideman), violinist Michael White, bassist Charlie Haden, percussionist Kenneth Nash and Baba Duru Oshun on tablas. The somewhat spiritual nature of the music (Henderson's compositions are titled "Fire," "Air," "Water" and "Earth") and the presence of Alice Coltrane makes these Eastern-flavored performances rather unique if not all that essential: an early example of world music in jazz. This recording has been reissued as part of Henderson's eight-CD Milestone box set.

00:00 A1 Fire
11:07 A2 Air 21:06 B1 Water 28:38 B2 Earth Bass – Charlie Haden Composed By – Joe Henderson Congas, Bells, Gong, Percussion, Drum [Sakara] – Kenneth Nash Drums – Leon Ndugu Chancler (tracks: A1, B2) Flute [Wood] – Kenneth Nash (tracks: B1) Narrator – Kenneth Nash (tracks: B2) Piano, Harp, Tambura, Harmonium – Alice Coltrane Tabla, Percussion – Baba Duru Oshun Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Alto Flute – Joe Henderson Violin – Michael White Recorded at Village Recorders, Los Angeles, Ca.
on October 15, 16, 17, 1973