Search - Michael Henderson :: Solid

This could have put MH on the MAP! just fell short.

Peppino | 01/09/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Electric Jazz" fans already know Michael Henderson was the
first "true" funk musician Miles Davis used after the
"Bitches Brew" era began. Motown session bassist, he made
his original "name" with Miles, notably on the "Jack
Johnson" session.
After leaving Miles when MD stopped touring
temporarily, MH joined the transitional period band of Norman Connors,
along with MD alumnus Reggie Lucas.The innovative funk lines of MH
got more sophisticated after the Miles experience, but MH went a step
further than "the FUNK", exposing his doo-wop roots,
particularly with the cosmic space doowop composition "You Are My
Starship" with Connors, A BRILLIANT TRACK! (live, MH used to
"strap it on " and deliver a Sun Ra meets Larry Graham bass
solo on Starship, complete with echoplex freakout!---AHH, those
were the days!) "Valentine Love", the duet with the luscious
voice of Jean Carn was the "hit".well, "Solid"
was the first solo MH lp(now, out of print cd, let's hope Japan or
England reissues it!).I thought it was gonna be a big
"hit"!There are some EXCELLENT THINGS on this cd,
noteably a SUPERIOR version of "Valentine.." with MH
overdubbing all vocals. This version is worth picking up the cd for
alone,a million stars for this track!!1EVEN MORE For
"doowop" afficionados as I, "Be My Girl",
"Treat me like a Man"(dumb lyrics though), lover's
music!"Stay With Me This Summer" showcases MH , in a Jaco
style (Portrait of Tracy, in specific) bass/ orchestral ballad, and
the faux-samba "Let Love Enter" reaLLY KICKS.THE
RECORDING IS MARRED, IRONICALLY BY THE FUNK STUFF THAT MADE *MH*
"ALMOST-FAMOUS" , THE TITLE TRACK BOASTS A GREAT BASSLINE,
BUT WHAT IS "ON TOP"(A MEANDERING, MEDIOCRE MELODY) GOES
NOWHERE. THE OTHER FUNK STUFF SUFFERS 60'S FUZZ TONE GUITARS BETTER
LEFT TO CRAPPY GARAGE ROCK GROUPS, AND PSEUDO SLY STONE
RIPOFFS. Well,life isnt always fair, and the GOOD musics are worth
the price of the cd, if it ever turns up again! Finally, I do
believe a RIDICULOUS cover (Solid has one of the all time worst
covers, as i am concerned)didnt help sell people on this recording,
what do YOU think?. If you look past the cover, hoping you
can find this music soon. COULD HAVE BEEN A "SOUL/FUNK"
CLASSIC! it still is , in the "underground hip" sense of
things.


"

Good Set

mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 10/07/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Valentine Love",&Be My Girl alone showcase the Smoothness of Michael Henderson's Talent&depth. you also Hear His Funk&Booming Bass Playing that never lets up.the Album leaves up to the title this is a Solid Set."