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| FYC CLIFFORD JORDAN Clifford Jordan Drink Plenty Water Best Historical Album FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION BEST HISTORICAL ALBUM Clifford Jordan Drink Plenty Water What The Press Is Saying About Drink Plenty Water Clifford Jordan: Drink Plenty Water (Harvest Song Records) spent 49 years on the shelf. This long lost jazz recording from Clifford Jordan, the late tenor sax master has been issued thanks to the efforts of Jordan's widow. Originally recorded for the Strata-East label in 1974, it is the only release in the Chicago native's catalog that is primarily a vocal recording, with inventive arrangements courtesy of bassist Bill lee. --MARILYN LESTER - NITE LIFE EXCHANGE The emergence of legendary saxophonists Clifford Jordan's fascinating and socially conscious, nearly five decades on the shelf recording Drink Plenty Water prompted a deeper exploration of the extensive discography of the late, influential saxophonist, who passed away 30 years ago at only 61. From 1957 through 1991, he released roughly 35 combined studio and live albums and appeared on recordings by other jazz legends of his time, including Art Farmer, Charles Mingus Lee Morgan and Cedar Walton. . An important piece of jazz history that will inspire Jordan fans from back in the day to revisit the icon's work and maybe earn him a few fans who grew up in the decades since his passing. --JONATHAN WIDRAN THE JW VIBE This is Clifford Jordan, the composer, arranger, storyteller, but in a completely different environment than his classic Clifford Jordan Quartet work. It's both a family affair and a reflection of the 70s with the Babs Gonzalez spoken word influences. It's a memorial to when the Last Poets on the East Coast and the Watts Prophets on the West Coast were all the rage and hip-hop was still an unknown art form. This is a blend of vocal harmonics singing his difficult and challenging tune, "The Highest Mountain" dusted with a completely fresh arrangement, like a new snowfall on the peak of Jordan's mountain of work. --DEE DEE MCNEIL —BLACK MUSIC MONTH: EXTRAORDINARY RECORDINGS It's an unusual storytelling record, with spoken word over music and background vocals, but it's plenty soulful, earthy and musical. And Clifford Jordan sounds terrific here along with his friends invited to participate. One wonders whether the album might have been more successful if it followed the well-balanced model established on the first two tracks (The Highest Mountain and Witch Doctor's Chant). But that isn't how Jordan chose to go. For reasons that were either commercial or due to friction between Jordan and the label over artistic decisions, Strata-East, which prided itself on independence, didn't quite see his vision as viable. --Marc Myers Jazzwax O's Notes: Drink Plenty Water was recorded in 1974, with tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan and a wealth of great musicians. It was dusted off by Sandy Jordan and released for our enjoyment in 2022. The brass is Dick Griffin (tb), and Charlie Rouse (b-cl), with Jordan. The rhythm section is Sam Jones (b), Bill Lee (b), Bernard Fennell (cello), Stanley Cowell (p), Billy Higgins (d). David Smyrl and Donna Jordan Harris are the primary Vocalists. The music is earthy blues and jazzy soul, seven selections in just over 37 minutes. "Talking Blues" is a straightforward recollection of a rough life, along with the title track, followed by the sultry instrumental version to wrap the set. --D. OSCAR GROOMES The instrumental mix showcases what was happening beneath the vocal track. This version is a funky, bluesy jam with all members getting a chance to blow. In its entirety, this recording is a worthy addition to both Jordan's and the Strata-East legacy. It shows a different side of Jordan while reminding us of a time when a small musician-owned label dared to be different. --DAVE LINN—ALL ABOUT JAZZ Drink Plenty Water now stands as a vital addition to Jordan's storied catalog, but beyond that, it offers insight into some of the most creative music being made in the early to mid-seventies on the Strata-East label. --Jim Hynes - Music Journalist Senior Writer - Glide Drink Plenty Water is a revelatory recording that adds another dimension to our understanding of Clifford Jordan, both the man and the musician. Why it wasn't released at the time remains a mystery but the reason may have something to do with how different the record was from what the saxophonist had served up before – and let's not forget that it was also recorded at a time when the jazz scene seemed to be in decline and the music's commercial appeal had sunk to an all-time low. 49 years later, however, Drink Plenty Water comes across as the jazz equivalent of finding an oasis in the desert. --Charles Waring soulandjazzandfunk Clifford Jordan Drink Plenty Water (Harvest Song Records HS2022-1) Street Date: May 1, 2023 Clifford Jordan tenor sax, featuring: Donna Jordan Harris and David Smyrl vocalists, with Dick Griffin trombone, Bill Hardman trumpet, Charlie Rouse bass clarinet, Bernard Fennell cello, Stanley Cowell piano, Sam Jones bass, Bill Lee bass & arr., Billy Higgins drums, Kathy O'Boyle, Denise Williams, Muriel Winston backup vocalists, Martin Bough photographer write your comments about the article :: © 2023 Jazz News :: home page |