Craft Recordings and Jazz Dispensary have announced the return of a cult favorite from Joe Henderson, 1973’s Multiple. Returning to vinyl after more than 50 years, the album features an ensemble of musicians including Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Larry Willis, and James “Blood” Ulmer.
Arriving March 7th, 2025 as part of Jazz Dispensary’s Top Shelf series, 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.
Tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson (1937–2001) was a prolific 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.
As a band leader, Henderson brought an eclectic sound that frequently incorporated elements of avant-garde, Latin, and R&B. That caught the attention of Orrin Keepnews, who signed the saxophonist to Milestone Records. Under the fledgling Jazz label, Henderson released innovative albums like The Kicker (1968), Power to the People (1969), and Black Is the Color (1972).
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. Helping Henderson were bassist Dave Holland and drummer Jack DeJohnette (known for their work together with Miles Davis), plus keyboardist Larry Willis, guitarist James “Blood” Ulmer, and studio musician/arranger Arthur Jenkins (John Lennon, Chaka Kahn, Harry Belafonte) on percussion.
