Customer Reviews

Anthology V.2

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Because the two albums that are reissued here -- combined in their entirety onto one CD -- have been out-of-print for so long, REALIZATION and INSIDE OUT are relative unknowns in comparison to the most acclaimed fusion-jazz era CDs by the likes Of Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, and others. Yet after several listens to this collection I'm seriously pondering if trumpeter Eddie Henderson may have done the best job of them all in highlighting the strengths and creativity of the fusion era while avoiding its weaknesses and excesses. At the very least the albums collected here should be counted alongside the best 1970s efforts by those other artists I mentioned. It's great to have this music finally available in CD format.

Much of Herbie Hancock's Mwandishi band -- including HH himself on keyboards -- are in on these sessions. Yet given that Henderson wrote most of the tunes and has his own distinct ideas on how to focus the diverse textures that comprise this electric-meets-acoustic jazz approach, it would be unfair to look at these cuts as Hancock sessions issued under Henderson's name (as sometimes might be the case due for contractual or other reasons). As for the music, you get consistently brilliant playing by Henderson, equally strong statements by reedman Bennie Maupin, Hancock, and others, timeless instrumental textures (where you might find a combination of acoustic bass, fender rhodes, and synth washes blending seamlessly together), and a bold mix of funk and straight-up jazz rhythms. Despite all that is going on, there is a uncluttered sense of wide-open space on these tracks. Also, while the musicians are in a progressive frame of mind, the results should be easy-to-grasp for anyone who doesn't have an anti-electric jazz bias.

Realization is one of the most important works from the fusion era, grand in scope and vision, and flawlessly executed. More melodic and ethereal than Miles Davis at his best, Eddie Henderson's Realization has a spiritual center that the Prince of Darkness never achieved (though he came close in Bitches Brew and In a Silent Way). The backup band, essentially the Herbie Hancock band at the time, goes off the charts, and Henderson is ahead of them all the way. Arguably the most beautiful jazz album recorded. Also worth buying is Herbie Hancock's Mwandishi: The Complete Warner Bros. Recordings. Same band. Same sound. Same quality.

This is a brilliant CD. You'll think you have died and gone to heaven. If you love electric era Miles or Herbie Hancock's Mwandishi band you'll love this. (Actually this is the Mwandishi band!)

Yea, baby, this is the REAL stuff! Bless you Soul Brother
Records for re-issuing these long lost masterpieces on cd.
Dr. Eddie Henderson (he's a psychiatrist!) is a BAAAAAAD
horn player. This cd includes (for the FIRST time on cd
ANYWHERE) the 2 complete albums Henderson recorded as
a leader back in 1972 and 1973, "Realization" and "Inside Out",
both on the Capricorn label, available for only a short time
even then, and LONG GONE out-of-print since. They're both
mind bending and beautiful works of art. Most of the core
Mwandishi band is here (minus Julian Priester on trombone),
along with Pat Gleeson twirling his very incredible electronic
knobs. I've had the cassette tape of "Inside Out" for years
since I first found it in a record store (long gone) bargain
bin way back in the 70's. Until these re-issues, this was the
only example I had of Henderson's Capricorn recordings, and
I've played it to death. Had read and heard about the legen-
dary "Realization" sessions and how brilliant they were, but
was never able to hear them, as they have been out-of-print
for decades and impossible to find. Until now. And they're
absolutely mind blowing! I had heard they were fabulous, but
really had no idea they were of this caliber. Beyond incredible.
This stuff is on a WHOLE other level altogether. It all meshes
so well. So timeless and forever, it could have been recorded
yesterday. WAY ahead of its time. Brilliant art for open minds
and ears. Recorded only eight months apart back in 73, these
were Henderson's first albums as a leader under his own name.
Pure perfection that sounds better than ever now on cd. You
Go, Doc. 50 trillion stars.

Realization works on the same bedrock as Miles' Bitches Brew: set a sturdy ostinato bass line, and let the band run Saturn rings round

And believe it or not this album bites even sharper. Miles devised the blueprints, but Henderson here cuts the layers of percussion, ups the volume on all the players, and rests the music on a fat electric four string ground. The playing is great, and while Brew was a test of mixing jazz and rock, this is jazz that just plain rocks.

Get it

Prior to purchasing this cd, the only Eddie Henderson album I was familiar with was Sunburst. That cd is decent but these Capricorn albums are superb! I find myself listening to these two great albums more and more. If you are a fan of Bitches Brew or Mwandishi, it's a no-brainer. Grab this one before it disappears.If these albums ever see the light of day again they'll probably be sold separately on some import label for more money.