JOE HENDERSON — Mode for Joe (review)

JOE HENDERSON — Mode for Joe album cover Album · 1966 · Hard Bop Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Sean Trane
Reputedly Henderson’s best 60’s album, Mode For Joe is your typical Blue Note label product with a flawless RVG and Alfred Lion production, and a no-less sparkling line-up that features Hutcherson, Walton, Carter and Chambers, not mentioning his two Detroit youth-buddies Morgan and Fuller.

Opening on the rather hard-boppy Shade For Jade, the very essence of the BN label appears in its splendour, but the three windmen (sax, trumpet & trombone) make for killer brass section with enthralling chorus lines. The ensuing title track features Hutcherson’s vibes, but past Henderson’s sax jump, it’s Walton’s piano that leads the dance (it’s his composition after all), until Bobby’s sensual solo hits the bull’s-eye. Walton’s Black piece closes the A-side with brio. The flipside’s Caribbean-rhythmed start soon gives into a demented slightly modal and transient mid-section, with Morgan and Chambers rising above the others. Granted is an high-energy bop piece, but fails to raise as much enthousiasm as its predecessor… or its follow-up. Indeed, Free-Wheelin’ has a loose mid-section where the solos are unleashed.

The slightest (but only) itch I might have with MFJ, is that the Cd version of this album features an alternate take of Waldon’s Black track, but it makes the mistake to intervene in the original album’s course. It’s always wiser to place these after the album, especially if the two versions are too similar.
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