Canyon Lady

Canyon Lady, released in 1975, was a collaboration between tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson and trumpeter Luis Gasca; the latter man worked up the big-band arrangement of the first track, a version of Cuban composer Osvaldo Farres’ “Tres Palabras,” and played on the other three tracks, which are heavy Latin funk augmented by sci-fi electric piano effects courtesy of brilliant keyboardist George Duke. Henderson’s blustery but restrained style on the horn is perfect for these intriguing tracks, which can be a little laid-back at times (the title piece goes from almost Quiet Storm to sudden outbursts of blare) but often lay out complex jungles of percussion through which he strides, unbothered.