Joe Henderson Power to the People Genres:Jazz, Pop Tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson (1937-2001) was the elliptical alternative to John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter when these sessions were recorded in 1969 on the Milestone label under Orrin Keepnews' production, with Miles Da... more »vis' sidemen: Herbie Hancock and Ron Carter on electric and acoustic piano and bass and drummer Jack DeJohnette. Their jazz-fusion sound is evident on the super-bopped "Afro-Centric" and the ostinato-anchored title track, which both featured the little-known trumpeter Mike Lawrence. The angular, radioactive blues "Isotope" and the lilting waltz "Black Narcissus," which debuted on this date, are two of the leader's compositional contributions to the jazz canon. The standard "Lazy Afternoon" and Ron Carter's darkly moody "Opus One-Point Five" are the only non-Henderson contributions. The last track, the pianoless, spontaneously-created "Foresight and Afterthought (An Impromptu Suite)," previews the groundbreaking trio recordings Henderson made for the Blue Note and Verve labels in the 1980s and '90s, when his genius was fully appreciated. --Eugene Holley, Jr.« less
Tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson (1937-2001) was the elliptical alternative to John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter when these sessions were recorded in 1969 on the Milestone label under Orrin Keepnews' production, with Miles Davis' sidemen: Herbie Hancock and Ron Carter on electric and acoustic piano and bass and drummer Jack DeJohnette. Their jazz-fusion sound is evident on the super-bopped "Afro-Centric" and the ostinato-anchored title track, which both featured the little-known trumpeter Mike Lawrence. The angular, radioactive blues "Isotope" and the lilting waltz "Black Narcissus," which debuted on this date, are two of the leader's compositional contributions to the jazz canon. The standard "Lazy Afternoon" and Ron Carter's darkly moody "Opus One-Point Five" are the only non-Henderson contributions. The last track, the pianoless, spontaneously-created "Foresight and Afterthought (An Impromptu Suite)," previews the groundbreaking trio recordings Henderson made for the Blue Note and Verve labels in the 1980s and '90s, when his genius was fully appreciated. --Eugene Holley, Jr.
"Okay first of all forget the title. This is not a revolutionary free jazz diatrebe. What you get though (and nicely remastered with intelligent liner notes) is a classic fusion album along the vein of "In a Silent Way". This actually is closer to a Herbie Hancock album and has much of the same players as "The Prisoner", his album for that year which was rather uneven. However, "Power to the People" does not have those flaws. Nice ambient jazz work that still remains within a post bop tradition. Electric keyboards are used but piano also enters the mix. With Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Jack De Johnette, all Miles alumni you have a good thing going here and unlike much jazz fusion at the time or later on its not a bunch of flashy chops that is basically watered down rock trying to pass for jazz. Okay this is no "B-Brew" or "On the Corner" but as fusion it succeeds. Joe Henderson would later get into full blown fusion that was closer to jazz funk and then jump back to hard bop but "Power to the People" and the acoustic hard bop albums that preceeded it by Joe Henderson are part of the essential jazz roster."
Outstanding Late 60's Fusion Date
Mike | New York, NY | 08/02/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As you can imagine from the personnel listing, this record is similar to many others released in the late 60's and early 70's on the CTI label. It's Freddie Hubbard's "First Light" band, and they're terrific.
For people wondering who in the world trumpeter/flugelhornist Mike Lawrence is, I'm pretty sure it's Kenny Wheeler under a pseudonym. Seriously though, if this isn't Kenny Wheeler playing trumpet on this record, then some kind of voodoo is at work. It's uncanny.
Great record, though."
Maybe the best Fusion record?
Gentle Giant | 12/31/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I don't like most fusion, but this album is a killer. Actually, the second half of this record is all-acoustic. But what ever it is, it should be in every drummer's collection--Jack D. is incredible (and very young) here. I disagree with another reviewer's guess that Mike Lawrence is Kenny Wheeler. But it is nice to see that everybody wants to give 5 stars (the big handful) for this one! Go, Go, Go, Joe!"
Brilliant pieces
Swing King | Cincinnati, OH USA | 04/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Joe Henderson's mastery of the tenor saxophone and brilliance as a composer are the pillars upholding his legend, and "Power to the People" demonstrates this clearly for listeners. Herbie Hancock lent his faculties to this project and pulled off some very nice piano work for the session. In fact, the entire rhythm section on this album are veteran musicians themselves, including Ron Carter on bass and Jack De Johnette on drums.
"Black Narcissus" is a great opener for this album of thematic allusions to Africa and the African experience. "Afro-Centric" is as equally pleasant as the starter, with Henderson sweeping us up in the dazzling sounds of his horn. The title track is an emotive locomotive, with Henderson and company hitting those fast notes with precision and ease. All around a solid album that belongs in the collections of jazz fans everywhere.