Clifford Jordan & The Magic Triangle: The Highest Mountain

Straightahead / Hard Bop
premiera polska: 2023-11-30
kontynent: Ameryka Północna
kraj: USA
opakowanie: Jewelcaseowe etui
opis:
Editor's Info:
The Highest Mountain is an album by saxophonist Clifford Jordan which was recorded in West Germany in 1975 and first released on the SteepleChase label.
The album should not be confused with the CD reissue of the Muse album Night of the Mark VII which also used the same title.

londonjazznews.com
This is all about the feel of the group, especially the rhythm section (that “magic triangle”). This live cut from a European tour in 1975 captured something not achievable in the studio. Sound quality is just about acceptable, but the atmosphere is amazing. The commanding presence of Clifford Jordan’s blearily impassioned tenor makes the strongest initial impression. But after appreciating that, you can go back and listen again for one of the most deeply integrated rhythm sections ever. The theme is a collection of bluesy phrases, any of which would have served to launch Sonny Rollins into a helter-skelter improvisation of indeterminate length. Jordan is more measured, and more co-operative, using the breathing space the arrangement offers to pause for thought before returning to a solo full of briefly urgent assertions and wry asides. The other three follow every twist and turn seamlessly. Sam Jones’ time playing sounds as if it echoes the heartbeat of the world. Billy Higgins on drums is more flamboyant, but matchlessly musical, Cedar Walton’s piano a delight.

AllMusic.com
Tenor-saxophonist Clifford Jordan teams up with pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Billy Higgins for this excellent modern hard bop set which has been reissued on CD by Muse. Of the five compositions (which include an original apiece by Jordan, Walton, Jones and Bill Lee), only Thelonious Monk's "Blue Monk" and Jordan's title cut had much life beyond this set but the music is consistently memorable, including Walton's "Midnight Waltz." All of the musicians play up-to-par and Clifford Jordan (who was continually underrated throughout his life) is immediately recognizable as usual.
by Scott Yanow

muzycy:
Clifford Jordan tenor saxophone; flute on . Miss Morgan.
Cedar Walton piano
Sam Jones bass
Billy Higgins drums

utwory:
1. Bearcat (Clifford Jordan) 6:46
2. Seven Minds (Sam Jones) 9:28
3. Impressions of Scandinavia (Clifford Jordan) 4:48
4. Scorpio - alternate take (Sam Jones) 3:45 Bonus track on CD reissue
5. Firm Roots - alternate take (Cedar Walton) 6:36 Bonus track on CD reissue
6. The House on Maple Street (Walton) 7:35
7. Miss Morgan (Jones) 5:55
8. The Highest Mountain (Clifford Jordan) 9:18

wydano: 1989
nagrano: Recorded at Trixi Ton Studios, München, on April 18, 1975