Search - Joe Henderson, Alice Coltrane :: Elements

Henderson's transcendental exploration of the four corners

Sambson | North Carolina | 03/03/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's easy to follow the playing on this album, simply by taking note of the titles. Joe does a great job of blowing these elements; and his accompaniest are right there with him. Of particular note are 'Water', with Henderson sketching out a practically psychedelic underwater skronk solo unlike any other free jazz piece I've ever heard. It's neither the r&b cut-and-paste riffs of Ornette or the trance inducing free blowing of Coltrane, nor the sheer terror of early Pharoah Sanders; but closer to a slowed down James Blood Ulmer rhythmic twist on an Arabic chord progression with bits of bop and skronk thrown in atop a playful delay pedal. Maybe something Archie Shepp or Sam Rivers could relate to. Then there's 'Earth' in which Chancler & Haden lay out a simple, but very effective groove, with a wonderfully unexpected, but befitting violin solo from Mr. White. I dare say, you may not hear another recording of Charlie Haden so deep in the funk; only reminding you of his identity during one of his latino folk breakdowns. I found the other two elements quite satisfying as well; as Joe stretches out here for sure. I think perhaps he was trying to move into a more spiritual realm with the help of Trane and Alice and Pharoah, which I think he admirably discovered here; creating his own blend of freeblowing and traditional elements. For avante Henderson some people prefer the PTAH, EL DAOUD, in which he adds a wonderful complement to Pharoah's playing."

Great for Joe Henderson, but not as good at Ptah

macfawlty | potomac, MD USA | 09/13/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Joe Henderson stretches out here for sure. I think perhaps he was trying to move into a more spiritual realm with the help of Trane and Alice and Pharoah, but in the end, I believe he moved back closer to a straight ahead sound. I hate to try to psychoanalyze him though, as it's not fair. I have seen him a couple of times and really loved the shows, not knowing at the time, he had made these recordings with Alice. I really prefer the Ptah, El Daoud with him and Pharoah. He REALLY adds a wonderful complement to that record."