The Record Store Day (RSD) release of a 3LP set of 1978 archival live recordings by tenor saxophone legend Joe Henderson titled Consonance is yet another excellent discovery from the good folks at Resonance Records (championed by producer Zev Feldman).
As with others in Resonance’s recent Jazz Showcase series which we have reviewed here at eCoustics, the original master tapes seem to have been recorded in mono. However, the sound quality is quite good, capturing a well balanced performance with all the instruments are in enjoyable listening proportion: saxophone and piano appear a little more up front with the bass tucked in neatly below them, locking in with the clear but not overwhelming drums.
A recording certainly worthy of its pressing on 180 gram black vinyl — something I can’t always say for many archival releases — the vinyl pressing lacquers for this release were cut by Matthew Lutheran’s at The Mastering Lab and the final discs were manufactured at Quebec’s Le Vinylist.
Consonance finds Mr. Henderson backed by Johanne Brackeen on piano, Danny Spencer on drums and a young future bass legend in his own right, Steve Rodby. The latter was part of the Chicago jazz scene at the time and effectively was one of the regular house musicians at that club before he joined Pat Metheny’s group in the early 1980s.
In fact, the album features compelling liner notes including recollections from Rodby who offers nuance into why it was special to play with Henderson — as well as from Brackeen and Spencer, co-producer John Koenig plus Wayne Segal (son of Jazz Showcase founder/owner, Joe Segal).
Mr. Henderson was no doubt a very special force on the jazz scene — just check some of your favorite classics by Lee Morgan, Horace Silver, Herbie Hancock, Miroslav Vitouš, Freddie Hubbard, Alice Coltrane and others and you’ll find him on many legendary sessions. However, original pressings of his solo works are elusive and very collectible these days. Fortunately, many of his early albums are being reissued and along with that demand, archival live recordings like Consonance help round out the portrait of this artist’s life work.
That said, Consonance opens with a side-long version of John Coltrane’s “Mr. P.C.” Henderson also pays homage to the legendary Charlie Parker with an expansive reading of “Relaxin’ at Camarillo.” And a 16-minute journey explores Thelonious Monk’s “‘Round Midnight.” You’ll also hear some of Mr. Henderson’s originals such as “Inner Urge” — which takes up another full album side — and the show closer “Isotope.”
Even though Record Store Day is over, I suspect you will be able to find copies of this excellent set online as well as in your favorite stores. In fact, you can get it at Amazon for $75.99 and if you can’t find the LP or simply want a less pricey option, the CD version is available for $23.56.
Where to buy: $75.99 at Amazon (3LP) or $23.56 at Amazon (CD)
Mark Smotroff is a deep music enthusiast / collector who has also worked in entertainment oriented marketing communications for decades supporting the likes of DTS, Sega and many others. He reviews vinyl for Analog Planet and has written for Audiophile Review, Sound+Vision, Mix, EQ, etc. You can learn more about him at LinkedIn.
Related Reading:
- RSD 2026 Podcast: A Record Store Owner’s 13-Year Perspective
- Podcast: Sleuthing RSD 2026 With Zev Feldman, “The Jazz Detective”
- Freddie King ‘Feeling Alright’ RSD 2026 Release Captures Sizzling 1975 Nancy Jazz Pulsation Concerts
