The 1970s were a decade of discovery for Joe Henderson, a time to set aside the post-bop instrumentations and repertoire he was identified with and branch out into other realms. One of the most successful and challenging of these efforts that the Milestone label documented was this four-part improvisation, with Alice Coltrane and Charlie Haden, on the basic themes of 'Fire, Air, Water, and Earth'.

• 180 Gram Vinyl pressed at QRP, USA
• First-ever 180 Gram Vinyl reissue
• Lacquers cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
• Old-school style tip-on cover
• Jazz Dispensary Top Shelf Series Astral Travelin'
• Jazz Dispensary "Authorized Dealer" window cling

A sublime, expansive spiritual jazz-fusion masterwork led by Joe Henderson (tenor sax) and Alice Coltrane (harp, piano) with contributions from Charlie Haden (bass), Leon "Ndugu" Chancler (drums), Kenneth Nash (percussion), Baba Duru Oshun (tabla) and Michael White (violin). Equal parts celestial, fiery and trance-inducing in nature, The Elements delivers a supremely transcendent musical message.

Featuring 180-gram vinyl pressed at QRP from lacquers cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and housed in a single-pocket old-school style tip-on jacket, this is the first-ever and definitive reissue of Joe Henderson and Alice Coltrane’s sprawling spiritual-jazz opus. An essential listen addition for all fans of adventurous music.

The 1970s were a decade of discovery for Joe Henderson, a time to set aside the post-bop instrumentations and repertoire he was identified with and branch out into other realms. One of the most successful and challenging of these efforts that the Milestone label documented was the present four-part improvisation on the basic themes of "Fire," "Air," "Water," and "Earth." Assisting the tenor saxophonist was a group of sympathetic explorers - Alice Coltrane on piano and harp, violin original Michael White, bass giant Charlie Haden, and the multi-talented percussionist Kenneth Nash.

Latin American, Indian, and Native American strains enter the mix as Henderson applies the heat and mercurial invention of his more conventional work to these open-ended settings. While the magic is enhanced with overdubbing in spots, the true magic of The Elements emanates from the musicians' collective genius at listening and responding to each other.

Musicians:

Joe Henderson, tenor sax, alto flute, flute
Alice Coltrane, piano, harp, tamboura, harmonium
Michael White, violin
Kenneth Nash, congas, North African sakara drum, Chinese, African and Indian bells, gongs, percussion
Charlie Haden, bass
Baba Duru Oshun, tabla, percussion
Ndugu (Leon Chancler), drums (on "Fire" and "Earth" only)

Track Listing:

Side A
1. Fire
2. Air

Side B
1. Water
2. Earth

Click here to listen to samples on YouTube.com ♫