Michael Henderson
Michael Henderson was an influential American soul and funk bassist, vocalist, and songwriter, best known for his work with Miles Davis and his own R&B hits in the 1970s and 1980s.
Born Michael Earl Henderson on July 7, 1951, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, he moved to Detroit as a child and began playing bass in the early 1960s, influenced by Motown greats like James Jamerson. He started as a session musician, performing with artists like Stevie Wonder after meeting him in Chicago.
At age 18, Henderson joined Miles Davis's band in 1970 after Davis spotted him at New York's Copacabana, famously taking him from Wonder's group. He contributed bass to key fusion albums including Jack Johnson, Live-Evil, Agharta, and Pangaea, serving as the only consistent band member through Davis's electric period until 1976.
Henderson launched his solo career in 1976 with Solid on Buddah Records (later Arista), producing hits like "You Are My Starship" (with Norman Connors), "Take Me I'm Yours," and "Wide Receiver." He collaborated with Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, the Dramatics, and Dr. John, blending funk grooves, quiet storm ballads, and pop sensibilities across albums like Goin' Places (1977), Do It All (1979), and Slingshot (1981). He retired from solo work after 1986's Bedtime Stories but later revisited Davis material.
Michael Henderson passed away on July 19, 2022, at age 71 in Dallas, Georgia.
Goin’ Places
Written-By – Michael Henderson
4:01
A2 Goin' Places
Written-By – Michael Henderson
4:08
A3 Let Me Love You
Written-By – Michael Henderson, Ray Parker
5:00
A4 I Can't Help It
Written-By – Michael Henderson
4:16
B1 I'll Be Understanding
Written-By – Michael Henderson, Rudy Robinson
3:03
B2 At The Concert
Vocals [Duet] – Michael Henderson, Roberta Flack
Written-By – Michael Henderson
7:16
B3 Won't You Be Mine
Written-By – Ken Peterson
7:00
Label: Buddah Records – BDS 5693
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Soul, Jazz, Funk
Style: Jazz-Funk, Soul, Disco
Released in 1977, Michael Henderson's Goin' Places is a mix of heavy, synth-driven funk and cinematic soul that showcases his range as a vocalist and bass player. While some critics found it a step down from his debut in terms of song quality, it is generally regarded as a solid R&B effort featuring notable tracks like "Whip It" and a duet with Roberta Flack.
The album features a blend of funk, soul, and R&B, with prominent electric keyboard and synth work. Recorded at Electric Lady Studios, the album features appearances by Herbie Hancock and a duet with Roberta Flack on "At The Concert".
Key Track Highlights:-
"At the Concert": A major highlight, this nearly 8-minute duet with Roberta Flack is often cited as an "epic" and "underrated jazz-funk masterpiece".
"Won't You Be Mine": Praised for its effortless disco-funk groove, this track is frequently recommended for dance floors or skating rinks.
"Goin' Places": The title track is described as a "perfect song for steppin'" with a smooth, rhythmic drive.
"Whip It" & "I Can't Help It": These are heavier, synth-laden funk jams that showcase Henderson's "big time funkster" energy, though some critics feel they try slightly too hard to be funky.
"Let Me Love You": A standout ballad that fans consider "untouchable" for its sensitive vocal performance.
While some retrospectives, such as one on Substack, viewed it as a slight decline from his debut Solid due to oversinging on some tracks, others consider it a strong, top-to-bottom funk album.
Goin' Places reached #18 on the R&B charts and #49 on the pop charts, firmly establishing Henderson's transition from jazz-fusion (with Miles Davis) to a funk/R&B solo artist.
Critics generally view it as a solid effort that highlights Henderson's transition from a session bassist for legends like Miles Davis and Stevie Wonder to a versatile solo artist.
It holds an average score of approximately 4/5 across Discogs community reviews and was graded a B- by some specialized R&B critics.
Goin Places Going Places
Solid
A2 Time 3:11
A3 Let Love Enter 2:54
A4 Treat Me Like A Man 4:02
A5 Solid 6:34
B1 Be My Girl 5:07
B2 You Haven't Made It To The Top 4:04
B3 Valentine Love 3:57
B4 Stay With Me This Summer 3:42
Label: Buddah Records – BDS 5662
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
Michael Henderson's 1976 debut album, Solid, is widely praised as a strong, essential funk/soul/jazz fusion masterpiece, blending tight bass grooves, atmospheric synths, and soulful vocals reminiscent of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, offering a rich mix of mid-tempo funk, cinematic ballads, and compelling instrumentals that showcase his talents as bassist, singer, and producer, making it a standout debut for fans of 70s groove music.
The album seamlessly shifts between deep funk ("Make Me Feel Better," "You Haven't Made It To The Top"), smooth jazz-funk instrumentals ("Solid," "Time"), and lush, romantic soul ballads ("Treat Me Like A Man," "Stay With Me This Summer").
As a renowned bassist, Henderson shines, particularly on tracks like the exploratory title track and the atmospheric "Stay With Me This Summer," where his subtle playing stands out.
Henderson showcases his "fruity voiced" vocals and production skills, creating cinematic soundscapes with squiggly synths and rich harmonies, drawing comparisons to Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.
Reviewers often call it an "unsung cinematic funk/soul/jazz masterpiece," a "killer album," and one of the best debuts, living up to its name.
Solid is considered a must-have for fans of '70s funk and soul, praised for its cohesive sequencing and rich blend of musical styles, making it a highly enjoyable and enduring listen.