Joe Henderson’s ‘Multiple’ To Receive ‘Top Shelf’ Reissue
The new edition will arrive on March 7.
Craft Recordings and Jazz Dispensary have announced the reissue of a heady cult favorite from Joe Henderson, 1973’s Multiple.
Returning to vinyl after more than 50 years, the album features a world-class ensemble of musicians—including Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Larry Willis, and James “Blood” Ulmer—while it finds the influential saxophonist at the apex of his jazz-fusion period.
Arriving March 7 as part of Jazz Dispensary’s Top Shelf series, and available for pre-order today, Multiple is cut from the original analog tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI.
The LP is housed in a tip-on jacket, replicating Multiple’s original artwork. Fans can also find the album on digital platforms, as it makes its debut in hi-res audio on the same day as the vinyl release.
By the time he recorded Multiple, Henderson was experimenting with a variety of electronic instrumentation, studio effects, and overdubs—all while weaving a socially conscious thread into his music. Much like Henderson himself, the 1973 album can’t be pigeonholed, as it finds the saxophonist operating in an enthralling sonic space, landing somewhere between fusion and free jazz.
Helping Henderson envision that magic is a tightly-knit roster of talent, including bassist Dave Holland and drummer Jack DeJohnette (known for their work together with Miles Davis), plus such esteemed players as keyboardist Larry Willis, guitarist James “Blood” Ulmer, and legendary studio musician/arranger Arthur Jenkins (John Lennon, Chaka Kahn, Harry Belafonte) on percussion.
One of the most talented tenor saxophonists of his era, Joe Henderson (1937–2001) was a celebrated leader and a sought-after sideman who played alongside the biggest names in jazz, including Herbie Hancock, Kenny Dorham, Chick Corea, and Alice Coltrane.
The Ohio-born musician launched his four-decade-long career in Detroit while attending college before relocating to New York. There, he quickly built a name for himself performing on dozens of sessions for Blue Note Records, including those for Hancock, Horace Silver, Andrew Hill, and Lee Morgan.
