Name: Glass Bead Games
Brand: Clifford Jordan

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

PLP-7964/5

Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Japanese pressing on P-Vine, with Obi strip.

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2023-09-22

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Lasgo

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

4995879079645

Total Cap

Black LPx2

Artist

Clifford Jordan

Genre GB

Jazz

Label GB

Strata East

Clifford Jordan was an influential American jazz saxophonist. Born on September 2, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois, he made a significant impact on the jazz scene throughout his career. Known for his distinctive sound and improvisational skills, Jordan's music continues to captivate audiences today.
With a career spanning several decades, Clifford Jordan collaborated with numerous renowned musicians and bands. His contributions to the world of jazz are widely recognized and celebrated. He passed away on March 27, 1993 in Manhattan, New York, leaving behind a lasting legacy that continues to inspire aspiring musicians.
Explore Clifford Jordan's discography and immerse yourself in the timeless melodies created by this legendary saxophonist. From soulful ballads to energetic compositions, his music showcases his unparalleled talent and passion for jazz.

Strata East is a New York-based music label that was launched in 1971 by musicians Charles Tolliver and Stanley Cowell. The label has played a significant role in the jazz scene, releasing groundbreaking and influential albums. With addresses at 463 West Street (1971-1974), 156 Fifth Avenue (1974-1978), and 221 West 57th Street (1980-?), Strata East has been committed to promoting exceptional talent. Distributed by Audiofidelity Enterprises, Inc., Strata East continues to showcase remarkable artists and contribute to the rich history of jazz.

Fifth part of the Strata-East Dolphy Series, Glass Bead Games is arguably the crown jewel of the Strata East movement, an amorphous genre that treads an unusual path between post-bop, 70’s avant-garde and spiritual jazz, with a groove. Glass Bead Games is full of revelations at many levels. First, the decade of the 1970s did produce genuinely creative, "human" new music flowing from the jazz mainstream; second, Bill Lee was more than Spike's dad: he was a superlative bassist, a team player of the first order, a powerful catalyst who, if anything, deserves to be better known than his son; third, Billy Higgins was, as so many musicians insist, a once-in-a-lifetime drummer—the bellows inspiriting the collective flame. Most importantly, Clifford Jordan was an artist of the first order, his playing so effortless and unforced, unselfconscious and focused, mature and wise that, at a time when altissimo fury was all the rage, it's small wonder his authentic voice frequently went unheard. His musical rhetoric is so personally expressive, its substance so compelling, the listener couldn't care less about the extraordinary technique required to convey its captivating message. Compared to some of his more acclaimed peers he's a less aggressive yet paradoxically more directive and shaping influence. The climaxes, rather than spelled out, are merely suggested, registering with deep and lasting impact on the listener. It all comes down to learning the language, those precious little beads. 

This is brilliant music-making by a Coltrane- influenced successor who feels no obligation to mime the predecessor. It may be the most significant saxophone performance on record since Coltrane and, providing the listener stays with it for any length of time, the most deeply satisfying. Jordan's game—so effortless, unforced, and "level"—erases distinctions between composed and improvised, soloist and ensemble, narrator and narrative, the dancer and the dance. It seems incapable of wearing out its welcome. By Samuel Chell/All About Jazz

Glass Bead Games

Music GB