Joy Ryder

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow stated: "Wayne Shorter's occasional Columbia records of the 1980's are all disappointments. His compositions (there are seven on this out-of-print set) lacked the originality and quirkiness of his 1960's work and, although his sound was still very much intact, Shorter's improvisations tend to wander a bit aimlessly. On this album, Shorter (doubling on soprano and tenor) is joined by a basic trio (keyboardist Patrice Rushen, bassist Nathan East and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington) and such guest musicians as keyboardists Herbie Hancock and Geri Allen, bassist Darryl Jones and (on 'Someplace Called Where') vocalist Dianne Reeves."[3]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
The Philadelphia Inquirer	[4]

All compositions by Wayne Shorter

1. "Joy Ryder" – 6:39
2. "Cathay" – 6:25
3. "Over Shadow Hill Way" – 6:03
4. "Anthem" – 4:20
5. "Causeways" – 8:20
6. "Daredevil" – 6:25
7. "Someplace Called 'Where'" – 5:20

Musicians

• Wayne Shorter – soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
• Patrice Rushen – keyboards
• Geri Allen – acoustic piano (tracks 1-3, 5, 7), synthesizers (tracks1-3, 5, 7)
• Herbie Hancock – synthesizers (tracks 4, 7)
• Nathan East – bass (tracks 1-3, 5, 6, 7)
• Darryl Jones – bass (track 4)
• Terri Lyne Carrington – drums
• Frank Colón – percussion (tracks 2, 5)
• Dianne Reeves – vocals (track 7)

Production

• Wayne Shorter – producer, back cover painting
• K2 – co-producer, engineer
• Duncan Aldrich – assistant engineer
• Nancy Donald – art direction, design
• Tony Lane – art direction, design
• Victoria Pearson – cover photography
• Judi Siskind – lettering
• David Rubinson – management

Studios

• Recorded and Mixed at Mad Hatter Studios (Los Angeles, California)
• Mastered at Precision Lacquer (Hollywood, California).