Paul Henderson

Listening to Sketches of Life is something like finding a diamond midway through a box of Cracker Jack. It starts off with some typically easygoing midtempo quiet storm action that offers more cinders than real fire, but then it suddenly explodes with soul, jazz, and fusion – and some of the leader's finest performances this side of the old Crusaders. Henderson's trombone turbulence finds willing support from friends old (saxman Wilton Felder) and new (Rob Mullins, Dwight Sills), and these all-stars stretch the limits of the pop side of jazz. Especially impressive is Lee Oskar's bluesy, Toots Thielemans-styled harmonica playing. Henderson could do just fine without the rap and chant, but otherwise, he leads a fun-filled cruise through adventureland.

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.

Originally released in 1976, this smoothly accomplished set features the trumpeter Eddie Henderson accompanied by many stars of the `70s jazz-fusion scene, including the pianist Patrice Rushen, the drummer Billy Hart, and the trombonist Julian Priester. On such tracks as the opening "Inside You" and "Acuphunture," the collection leans towards Headhunters-style jazz-funk (various members of that outfit are also present), recalling a somewhat more commercial late-period Miles Davis.

In 1977 Henderson signed to Capitol and produced his “Coming Through” album. This featured the jazz funk classic “Say You Will”, highlighted by UK DJ Richard Searling as one of the top jazz funk tracks of all time in a recent edition of the UK Togetherness magazine. Background vocals were included for the first time courtesy of Patrice Rushen, Phillip Bailey, Mtume and a very young Dianne Reeves.