Records -- Eddie Henderson

Eddie Henderson

Eddie Henderson: Inside Out.

Capricorn 0122.

I don't mean to take anything away from Dr. Eddie Henderson's individual talents but how come each of his two "solo" efforts sound so much like the Herbie Hancock albums released, in each case, just weeks (a month maybe) earlier than his? We should keep in mind, of course, that both Ed and Herb played on both of each others albums so maybe it's redoubtable Mr. Hancock himself who's to blame for the similarities between the two sets of albums. Maybe Eddie's the real genius/dupe.

Remember the popular theory, during the bleak winter of Frank Zappa's/Mothers career, when "Live at the Fillmore" and "Just Another Band from L.A." broke back to bent back, that obviously Frank's music was only as good as the musicians with whom he was currently working! And that there was only so much juicy music to be wrung from the raw loins of the Phlorescent Leech and Eddie. And people finally, sadly began to look for Miles Davis' clay feet beginning no later than the release of "On the Corner" with his appropriately anonymous band. All of this brings us to "Inside Out" (Capricorn 0122) by Eddie Henderson, composer, horns; with Herbie Hancock, keyboards; Bennie Maupin, reeds; Buster Williams, bass; Eric Gravatt and Billy Hart, drums; Patrick Gleeson, synthesizer; and Bill Summers, congas.

This album was designed to be popular -- to pull the ears of both the jazz and pop audiences (in the same way that Hancock's recent "Head Hunters" does). But where Herbie's album is funky and Slylike, Eddie's album is only busy-sounding. Usually, there are lots of cookin' congas in addition to two regular drummers playing around a very clean, constant, bass line. The problem is that "Inside Out" is clearly over-produced. I found it very strange to listen to. Incoherent. Every instrument is recorded so clearly, so separately, that I hear a sort of sliding panel effect (ever read any of Lawrence Durrell's great "Alexandria quartet"?). I mean, where's the sweat guys?

For all it's faults, I don't mean to write that "Inside Out" hasn't it's fetching aspects. Hancock's keyboard work is a joy throughout. I like the unison ensemble stuff. Pat Gleeson synthesizes everything from humming U.F.O.'s to growling, midnight, dogs. In fact, the band is most successful in its occasional, deliberate evocation of dreaminess, say in "Dreams" or "Discoveries" when panels slide one on top of the other, every panel a different image. But next time I hope Eddie keeps his outside out and exposed to the sun at that.

-- Bill Adler