The Elements is a Joe Henderson classic, part of a decade of spirituality and psych-jazz experimentation that saw the eminent saxophone player break free from post-bop instrumentation and repertoire. Playing through Fire, Air, Water and Earth, Henderson leads his all-star ensemble—which included Alice Coltrane, Charlie Haden and Leon "Ndugu" Chancler—in an open-ended setting of heat and mercurial invention.
This is one of the odder Joe Henderson recordings. The four lengthy selections not only feature the great tenor-saxophonist but the piano and harp of Alice Coltrane (during one of her rare appearances as a sideman), violinist Michael White, bassist Charlie Haden, percussionist Kenneth Nash and Baba Duru Oshun on tablas. The somewhat spiritual nature of the music (Henderson's compositions are titled "Fire," "Air," "Water" and "Earth") and the presence of Alice Coltrane makes these Eastern-flavored performances rather unique if not all that essential: an early example of world music in jazz.
- Joe Henderson - tenor saxophone, flute, alto flute, piano
- Alice Coltrane - harp, piano, harmonium, tamboura
- Michael White - violin
- Charlie Haden - bass
- Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums (1, 4)
- Baba Daru Oshun - tabla, percussion
- Kenneth Nash - narrator (4), flute (3), congas, sakara drum, bells, gongs, percussion
Rec.: at The Village Recorder, Los Angeles, CA, October 15-17, 1973.
01. Fire (11:08)
02. Air (9:58)
03. Water (7:33)
04. Earth (13:14)
