Record Reviews

JOE HENDERSON ~ CONSONANCE: LIVE AT THE JAZZ SHOWCASE RESONANCE 2084 (Barcode: 617270122938) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1978 Released: 2026 This is an archival live album by American Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Joe HendersonFind albums by this artist, and his quartet with pianist Joanne BrackeenFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve RodbyFind albums by this artist and drummer Danny SpencerFind albums by this artist, recorded in February 1978 at the Jazz Showcase club in Chicago, Il. The 2CD album presents nine tracks, three of which are originals by Henderson and the rest are standards. Five of the tracks are over twenty minutes in duration. All the tracks are previously unreleased and the remastered sound quality is excellent. The album includes a twenty-eight-page booklet with background information, photographs and interviews with musicians, as usual with all the ResonanceFind albums on this label releases. The music is, as expected, immensely intensive, a never ending orgy of saxophone solos lasting often uninterrupted for fifteen minutes, not quite Free but closely bordering on Free, superbly supported by the smoking rhythm section. Henderson, always deeply influenced by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, continued the intense Coltrane-like appearances on stage, which were always a greater than life experience, and this album captures this spirit perfectly. The hidden gem of this album are of course the piano performances by Brackeen, one of my all-time favorite pianists, who remains sadly mostly underappreciated, but offered many star quality performances over the years on many recordings. Overall, this is a superb piece of American Jazz history, caught here at its full glory and mesmerizing intensity. Both Henderson’s many followers, as well as Coltrane’s enthusiasts, should find this to be right up their alley, and don’t miss this opportunity to discover (or-rediscover) the genius of Brackeen!

Updated: 24/07/2026Posted: 22/07/2026

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MIKE WALKER ~ ROPES MADHOUSE 002 (Barcode: 5029385847661) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2019 This is the second album by British Jazz guitarist / composer Mike WalkerFind albums by this artist. It presents a suite for Jazz quintet and string orchestra, originally commissioned for the Manchester Jazz Festival and debuted there in 2008. The studio version, recorded several years later, features a core quintet which includes American drummer Adam NussbaumFind albums by this artist and British saxophonist Iain DixonFind albums by this artist, pianists Les ChisnallFind albums by this artist or Gwilym SimcockFind albums by this artist, bassists Steve WattsFind albums by this artist or Steve RodbyFind albums by this artist and several other musicians as well as the twenty two piece Psappha StringsFind albums by this artist orchestra. The album´s eight tracks include the three-part Ropes suite and five additional tracks, all composed and arranged by Walker, except for the closing track which was co-composed by him and Chisnall. The music is a beautifully lyrical Jazz-Classical Fusion, which goes way beyond the "Jazz with strings" idiom by amalgamating the string orchestra deep within the music´s concept, and making it an integral part of the entire essence of the project. The Jazz improvisations are all carefully kept within the melodic and harmonic outline of the pieces, often pretty minimalist and serene, but always exquisitely expressive. The participating instrumentalists are all Masters of their trade and their respective contributions are all elegant, tasteful and respectful, as appropriate for such a delicate and complex endeavor. Dixon, who is the main soloist, sounds absolutely delicious both on clarinet and soprano saxophone, Walker´s guitar parts are certainly up to par with his reputation and the pianists lay down an excellent harmonic foundation as well as tasteful soli. The string orchestra is excellently mixed with the Jazz ensemble, exactly prominent enough to be a part of the music but without dominating it. Considering the fact how rare Jazz and string music collaborations are these days, this is a superb reminder of the potential such projects have to offer, and how these can be carried out without crossing over into the terrible kitsch they sometimes turn into. Overall this is a splendid album from start to end, full of great music and excellent performances, which should satisfy all true music connoisseurs, who are open to atypical, but highly rewarding experimentation. This is British / European Jazz at its usual, highly aesthetic and challenging best, which is of course wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 17/04/2019Posted: 17/04/2019

CD 1 Digisleeve Recommend To A Friend