Mosaic Records Continues Their 30th Anniversary with an Extraordinary Historical Documentation of a Most Special Era with The Complete Clifford Jordan Strata-East Sessions
The eminent saxophonist Clifford Jordan
is best remembered as a tenorman with a powerful sound who bridged the
world of Hard Bop and the adventurous newer forms of jazz expression.
His work as a sideman with legends like Charles Mingus, Max Roach, Eric
Dolphy, Horace Silver and Randy Weston sometimes eclipsed his own
brilliance as a leader. But what is far lesser known is his remarkable
talent as a discoverer of emerging artistry and his skills as a producer
that allowed them to best express their vision as leaders. Mosaic's new
release The Complete Clifford Jordan Strata-East Sessions is a sterling showcase for those lesser-known aspects of this giant's career.
Like those illustrious
leaders with whom he played, Jordan shared a vision of musician
self-empowerment. His initial forays into self-production were shaped
under an intended business collaboration with literary publisher named
Harvey Brown. Brown's pioneering Frontier Press was focusing on similar
territory for literature and in early 1968 they came up with the idea
for a label called Frontier Records. With Jordan as the in-the-trenches
A&R director and producer, they embarked upon the groundbreaking
plan with a stunning cross-section of musicians who bridged the
innovative mainstream and the structured avant-garde. The initial dates
were under the leadership of Jordan, drummer Ed Blackwell, bassist
Wilbur Ware and trumpeter Don Cherry. Although the label never came to
be, Jordan continued to produce albums with that same innovative slant,
with additional sessions led by saxophonists Pharoah Sanders, Cecil
Payne and Charles Brackeen.
When trumpeter Charles
Tolliver and pianist Stanley Cowell launched the innovative Strata-East
Records in 1971, with the goal of creating a label for artist-owned
product, Jordan found the new home for his projects. Releasing them
under a special title of The Dolphy Series, Jordan's
productions were an ideal tribute to Dolphy's ability to embrace the
classic jazz tradition while pushing the envelope into uncharted
territory. This set brings together that amazingly diverse, yet fully
congruent collection of music together in one 6-CD set. Comprised of
seven distinct albums - including a previously unissued set by Ed Blackwell
- these 43 tracks display the incredibly rich context of adventurous,
yet totally accessible music that was being produced during this highly
fertile period. The sidemen on all of these sessions are a veritable
who's who of contemporary jazz. And it is all further enhanced by
Jordan's brilliant brewing of musicians who blended together in ways
that few would have thought possible. This set proves that his approach
was not only viable, but truly visionary.
 |
|
Photograph (c) Martin Bough
|
The two Jordan albums included here are widely considered to be among his finest. 1969's In the World features Julian Priester, Wynton Kelly and Wilbur Ware, with Don Cherry and Albert 'Tootie' Heath alternating with Kenny Dorham, Ed Blackwell and Roy Haynes on two tracks each. Glass Bead Games (1973) features the fiery tenorman with two separate rhythm sections: Stanley Cowell, Bill Lee and Billy Higgins; and Cedar Walton, Sam Jones and Higgins.
Zodiac: The Music of Cecil Payne
was recorded in 1968, with the burly baritone saxophonist accompanied
by Dorham, Kelly, Ware and Heath. This album also offers an unusual
glimpse into Cecil's alto sax mastery on one of the five Payne originals
that comprise the set.
Charles Brackeen's Rhythm X
(1968) features the adventurous tenor saxophonist in the company of one
of Ornette Coleman's classic rhythm sections, with Cherry, Charlie Haden and Blackwell on four Brackeen originals. Cherry and Blackwell are also on hand for Wilbur Ware's Super Bass,
featuring Jordan on tenor. Unissued until 2012 - and only in a limited
release by the Wilbur Ware Institute - this music is an unexpected bonus
and a most important part of this set, and the under-recognized
bassist's legacy.
Shades of Edward Blackwell
is another gem that is being made available here for the very first
time. Recorded in 1968, this was Blackwell's first recording as a leader
and contains two highly contrasting sessions. The first features
Cherry, Ware and the under-recorded tenorman Luqman Lateef
on two Blackwell originals. The second is a dynamic percussion ensemble
that somewhat bridges the span between Art Blakey's explosive 1950s
forays into the spirit of the drum and Max Roach's spectacular M'Boom. Joining Ed here are two more Ornette graduates, Billy Higgins and Dennis Charles, along with Roger Blank, Huss Charles and Jordan (on log drum).
Pharoah Sanders' powerful Izipho Zam
rounds out the set. Centered on the sprawling title cut of nearly 30
minutes, this 1969 album contains a lineup of high-powered and
exceptional musicians, including vocalist Leon Thomas, who collaborated with the iconoclastic tenorman on some of his most popular recordings. Also on hand are Sonny Fortune, Howard Johnson, Lonnie Liston Smith, Sonny Sharrock, Cecil McBee, Sirone, and a bombastic drum ensemble of Billy Hart, Majeed Shabazz, Chief Bey, Nat Bettis and Tony Wylie.
 |
|
Photograph (c) Martin Bough
|
An interesting element is
that of the 43 tracks, there is not a single standard. Every piece is an
original composition of either the session's leaders or one of the
sidemen - another sign of the exemplary internal creativity that fueled
all of these sessions. Mosaic founder and the set's producer Michael Cuscuna
says of these recordings "I was always intrigued by Jordan's choice of
who to record on the 1968-69 sessions. Musically, Jordan's always cast a
wide net, but doing a number of sessions in the Ornette Coleman orbit
and recording Pharoah surprised and intrigued me." One thing is
absolutely clear. Those choices have resulted in a collection of
enormous impact, historical importance and sheer musical transcendence.
As always, the highest
production values that are the Mosaic tradition have gone into this set.
The booklet contains rare photos taken at the sessions by fine
photographer Martin Bough and highly informative liner notes by reputable journalist Willard Jenkins. Once again, Mosaic Records has made another special contribution to the great legacy of jazz with a must-have collection.
** For all Mosaic Records reviews, please include a link to purchase from the
Mosaic Records website. Links can be found at the bottom of each press release **
Please use this purchase link for:
The Complete Clifford Jordan Strata-East Sessions
Clifford Jordan · The Complete Clifford Jordan Strata-East Sessions
Mosaic Records · Release Date: November 12, 2013
This limited edition set is available exclusively from Mosaic Records.
Please visit www.mosaicrecords.com for ordering information,
complete track listing and discography.
For media information, please contact:
DL Media· 610-667-0501
Don Lucoff · don@dlmediamusic.com
Maureen McFadden · maureen@dlmediamusic.com
Information and press materials (including album covers, promotional photos and bios)
on all DL Media artists can be found at our new website: dlmediamusic.com