The Wayne Henderson Collection reissues two recordings made in the early '90s with
the Next Crusade, which included original
Crusader Wilton Felder on saxophone. The reuniting of
Henderson and
Felder was a dream come true for many jazz fans, and both
Back to the Groove from 1992 and
Sketches of Life from the following year made it clear that the reunion was well worth the wait. Neither album is perfect; both albums incorporate competent but uninteresting quiet storm instrumentals and make misguided attempts to incorporate hip-hop; however, there are plenty of good tunes on this double-CD set that more than make up for any minor flaws. Highlights include "Joshua," "For Old Times Sake," "Right on Brother Man," and "Down Home Transitions."
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Wade Kergan, Rovi