ProJazz.net

Black Is the Color is an album by American saxophonist Joe Henderson, released in 1972 on Milestone. The original idea for the album was “to approach it entirely from the standpoint of having no pre-conceived ideas (i.e., melodies, themes, bar lines, etc.) for the musicians to relate to.” However, after listening to a tape copy of one segment of the original session, the saxophonist “became aware of further possibilities. Making full use of 16-track tape, we could add to and improve upon what had already been recorded by multiple overdubbing of new parts, by myself and others, that would become permanent additions to the track.”- Wikipedia.

“For a short period tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson made extensive use of overdubbing. This LP finds him not only playing tenor but adding flute, alto flute, soprano, and percussion; he also utilizes extra musicians (most notably David Horowitz on synthesizer and percussionist Airto) to augment his core group of keyboardist George Cables, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Jack DeJohnette. Although the music holds one’s interest, it is not up to the same creative level of his earlier Milestone releases; a few of these pieces sound like Henderson was hoping for a hit.” – Scott Yanow/AllMusic.

Track listing:
All pieces by Joe Henderson.

“Terra Firma” – 12:12
“Vis-a-Vis” – 6:49
“Foregone Conclusion” – 4:57
“Black Is the Color (Of My True Love’s Mind)” – 7:03
“Current Events” – 5:36

Personnel:
Joe Henderson – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone (3, 4), percussion (1, 3), flute (1, 4), alto flute (1, 3, 4)
George Cables – piano (4), electric piano (1-3, 5)
David Horowitz – synthesizer (1, 3, 5)
Georg Wadenius – guitar (1, 2, 4, 5)
Dave Holland – bass
Ron Carter – electric bass (1, 5)
Jack DeJohnette – electric piano (4), drums
Airto Moreira – congas (3), percussion (3, 4)
Ralph MacDonald – congas (1), percussion (1, 4)

_____________________________

Released: End of August/early September 1972
Recorded: March or April 1972
Mercury Sound Studios, New York
Length: 36:37
Label: Milestone
MSP 9040
Producer: Orrin Keepnews