Power to the People—Joe Henderson/Jazz Dispensary Top Shelf Series vinyl reissue
I was sent an advance copy of the Jazz Dispensary’s vinyl reissue of Joe Henderson’s 1969 hard bop classic, Power to the People. It’s the first vinyl reissue of the record in over 50 years.
The Jazz Dispensary PR says: Blending a socially conscious spirit with hard bop, jazz-funk, and electronic elements, the album finds the saxophonist entering a new creative dimension, as he performs such originals as “Isotope,” “Afro-Centric” and the first recording of his classic “Black Narcissus,” alongside a titanic rhythm section featuring legends like Herbie Hancock (piano, Fender Rhodes), Ron Carter (electric and acoustic bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums), and Mike Lawrence (trumpet).
I had not heard the record before and knew next to nothing about Joe Henderson. I heard a smidgen of the album somewhere and was hooked immediately. Cool jazz, beautifully crafted and performed by Henderson and his all-star lineup. After a full stream on Apple Music, my request to Jacob Mask at Craft Recordings for a review copy of the reissue went out immediately. Thank you Jacob for remembering and getting the album to me for our readers.
Jazz Dispensary reissues originals from Prestige, Milestone and Fantasy, “…with jazz as its source, we blur boundaries and open minds to the psychoactive potential of music, introducing a new generation to the grooves that elevated the hippest heads of the ‘60s and ‘70s.’
Well, then, count me impressed. Jazz Dispensary titles are manufactured and released by Craft Recordings.
Tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson circa 1970. Photo credit: RTE Ireland.
All tracks by Joe Henderson excerpt where noted. Tracks include:
"Black Narcissus"
"Afro-Centric"
"Opus One-Point-Five" (Ron Carter)
"Isotope"
"Power to the People"
"Lazy Afternoon" (Moross, Latouche)
"Foresight and Afterthought (An Impromptu Suite in Three Movements)"
Released 1969 on Milestone. Recorded by George Sawtelle May 23 & 29, 1969 at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City
Produced by Orrin Keepnews
Like many Craft Recordings, Jazz Dispensary’s Power to the People was cut from the original tapes (AAA) by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and is pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI. The LP is housed in a gatefold tip-on jacket, replicating the album’s original packaging on Milestone Records. My record arrived flat, with centred labels and the centre spindle hole cut correctly.
For the uninitiated (like me), Joe Henderson (1937–2001) was a monster tenor player with a glorious tone (way more Coltrane/Shorter than Webster/Hawkins, etc) with incredible musical ideas and harmonic sensibilities and an ability to get the ideas down on paper and provide virtuosic performances. Power to the People—his third album for Orrin Keepnews and Milestone— is the perfect intro if you like your jazz straight ahead but with a modern edge and very sophisticated harmonic invention. As the jacket says, “Hard Bop”. And those of you averse to free jazz and the like may buy Henderson with confidence. Maybe stream it first, but I think you’re going to dig his fabulous playing and ideas.
All the songs feature his ingenious musical ideas and varied, beautiful tone. Henderson also gives full musical credit to his brilliant sidemen. Without knowing a lot about jazz history, the “golden age” of jazz recording, the early ‘50s to mid-’60s, had a sound, a flavour. All good. But with the dawn of the ’70s, directions were changing. More avant-garde, more free jazz, and more timbral experimentation. So as 1970 loomed, we have two great advocates of the electric instrument, Herbie Hancock on electric piano (as well as standard piano) and Ron Carter (still active at 86) on electric and string bass. Both are virtuosos on all their instruments. Matching them note for note is the amazing Jack DeJohnette on drums who drives the group with passion, invention and intense energy.
From the opening bars of “Black Narcissus", you’ll hear the aching beauty of Henderson’s tone sotto voce, which only makes his massive dynamic shifts even more powerful. And behind Henderson, Hancock and Carter’s noodling emphasizes Henderson’s beautiful melodic sense.
On “Isotope", Henderson frees himself a little from the key and bar line, his extemporizations playing nice with Carter, Hancock and DeJohnette’s fills. It’s here, once again, where remastering engineer Kevin Gray’s recutting of drums is masterful.
Young trumpeter Mike Lawrence lends his great sound and technical Bebop chops on the title track (sadly, he died of cancer in 1983 at age 37). It’s here where Hancock’s electric glissandos and Carter’s (cool) meanderings accompany Henderson’s train of thought. A little free thinking with his sound on this seminal track. As you listen, you’ll feel they are having a whale of a time and laying down a future sound. It all works very effectively.
The sound on the reissue is exceptional. Everything you’re going to want and expect from an audiophile pressing from the pen of Kevin Gray. I’ve mentioned the superb drum sound, but the timbral differences between Hancock’s and Carter’s instruments are heard easily and they are beautifully positioned in the mix. But it’s Henderson’s sound(s) and invention that sold me upon first hearing. No matter how subtle Henderson gets down in the weeds (breathy, key work, spittle on reed), Gray gives it to us. A remarkable musical and audiophile achievement.
I was well aware of the sidemen, but not aware of Milestone, Jazz Dispensary or virtuoso Joe Henderson. Consider me a fan of all three. I will search out more. In the meantime, a very warm buy recommendation.
The pre-orders at both Craft and Jazz Dispensary websites seem to be sold out, but they say shipping is March 15 for those who got in early. If not, place your order now for the restock. (No financial affiliation).
