Jeff Henderson

Joe Gilman Trio with Joe Henderson - Treasure Chest (1991) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series CDSOL-6326}
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© 1991, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6326
Jazz / Post Bop / Neo Bop / Piano

Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. Joe Gilman's a hell of a pianist, and one who already sets the album on fire working with his core trio – but things take off even more once the mighty tenor of Joe Henderson comes into the mix! Gilman's group features Robert Hurst and Jeff Tain Watts on drums – both as ably rhythmic as Joe himself, and able to follow all his bold leaps and flights on the keyboard – and Henderson's presence graces four of the album's ten tracks, with this soulful current that really deepens the sound – although the whole thing was already great enough in the first place! Tom Peron also plays trumpet on one number that features Henderson – and Gilman also plays a bit of electric piano at points. Titles include "Non Compos Mentis", "Juris Prudence", "Nefertiti", "The Enchantress", "Treasure Chest", and "New Aftershave".

Within a refined setting of easy listening pop ballads and lightly funky up-tempo selections produced by Al McKay, Henderson proves himself an assured vocalist with mastery of clarity and phrasing. The problem here is the material isn't challenging enough – it's often formulaic and derivative of other early-'80s releases. Even a contribution from Stevie Wonder, "Crush on You," wanders into oblivion. But the singer's debonair tone and elegant, polished diction makes the weaker sound stronger. A perfect example is the mid-tempo "I'd Rather Be Gone," which suffers from a sleepy melody and clichéd rhythm arrangement.