Search - Wayne Henderson :: Back to the Groove

Wayne's best work outside the Crusaders

J. Levinson | Media, PA USA | 10/02/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Wayne Henderson's output since leaving the Crusaders in the mid-70's has been minimal, as he's mostly worked in R&B production. He did release a couple of very good solo albums in the late 60's, "Soul Sound System" and "People Get Ready", the latter of which was reissued on CD, though oddly bundled with free-jazzer Sonny Sharrock's "Black Woman". However, "Back to the Groove" (1992) finds Wayne, as might be expected, largely returning to the successful sound of the old group. Wilton Felder is onboard to recreate the trombone-sax combo of yester-year, and it's as welcome as fresh Gulf Coast breeze. Wayne, Wilton, guitarist Dwight Sills, keyboardists Bobby Lyle and Rob Mullins contribute rewarding solos. Most of the tunes are Henderson originals, except for Mullins "Lady In Waiting", the Miles Davis-Victor Feldman straight-ahead composition "Joshua", and the final track. Wayne closes the set with a fitting epilogue, a dreamy, almost a-capella, jazz choral rendition of the Bacharach-David classic "Alfie". Wayne Henderson - Trombone, Producer
Wilton Felder - Bass (Electric), Sax (Tenor)
Dan Moretti - Sax (Soprano)
Bobby Lyle - Keyboards
Rob Mullins - Keyboards
Dwight Sills - Guitar
Big Black - Conga
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - Drums
Noel Clossen - Synthesizer, Drums, Triangle
Phillip Ingram - Synthesizer
Larry Kimpel - Bass"