When the late Joe Henderson signed to Verve records in 1992 – and this package gathers 3 key albums - the label justifiably made a big deal about the saxophonist who had been quietly recording for other companies since the 1970s.
Lush Life is Henderson's renderings of ten Billy Strayhorn songs, including fine readings of Isfahan, Lotus Blossom, Take the 'A' Train, Lush Life itself and a marvellously sultry Blood Count. Released in 1992, the album, which was flagged as a 'comeback' record, proved exceptionally successful in commercial term for a jazz recording.The saxophonist became something of a jazz celebrity and began to top polls all over the shop, although his new, suitably enthused fans were had been dimly aware, if aware at all, of his presence through two decades previously. That warm, amiable sound had not changed since recordings made in the more grim days of 1970s obscurity.
Lush Life is a blissed-out delight, a dappled canvas of mottled light and shade featuring collaborations with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, Stephen Scott on piano, bassist Christian McBride and Gregory Hutchinson on drums, all in flying form. Nothing cerebral or mentally trying here, this is musical joie de vivre in the hands of true professionals.
Equally appealing is the So Near, So Far Miles Davis tribute record, featuring guitarist John Scofield, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Al Foster on Miles Ahead, Teo, Flamenco Sketches and other classic tracks. Henderson's Big Band album features nine tunes, seven of them Henderson compositions, all of which are arranged with absolute focus on a record built to last, and bearing the influence, it has been noted, of classical composers Igor Stravinsky and Bela Bartok. Recommended.
