Not only leader Eddie Henderson, but almost the entire band of Donald Harrison/as, George Cables/p, Gerald Cannon/b, Lenny White/dr and Mike Clark/dr are of a generation that is quickly passing by. Growing up on hard bop and post bop, as well as being charter members of the fusion years, trumpeter Henderson and these gents are reaching an age that you make a point to see them in concert whenever possible, because as the album title states, they are a part of history that is slipping through our grasping fingers.
Henderson, as always, plays like a master, and plays tunes from a wide variety of his musical past. The opening “Scorpio Rising” is a funky thing straight out of the early days of fusion, with Henderson echoing like Miles around some murky keyboards and bass. Harmon muting his horn, Henderson gracefully enters stage right after giving Cables a glorious time introducing “It Never Entered My Mind” opening up his brass around the pianist on the pretty “Sweet and Lovely”. Harrison and Henderson sizzle on the post bopping “Why Not” and boogaloo on the soulful “Totem Pole” with the alto saxist shining brightly on “Freedom Jazz Dance”. All throughout, Clark and White drive like wagon trained shotguns, with humming brushes on “Born to be Blue” and a relentless swing throughout.
Yes, there are musicians that can learn this music, but have they really LIVED it?