Drink Plenty Water
Harvest Song, 2023
8/10
The tenor sax wizard Clifford Jordan brings along some esteemed friends for this long lost vocal jazz session captured in 1974.
The very atmospheric “The Highest Mountain” opens with Donna Jordan Harris’ expressive voice and Jordan’s colorful brass amid the dreamy climate, and “Witch Doctor’s Chant (Ee-Bah-Lickey-Doo)" follows with playful melodies and Stanley Cowell’s agile keys helping make for an energetic landscape.
In the middle, “I’ve Got A Feeling For You” uses group vocals precisely amid the bright brass, while “My Papa’s Coming Home” flows with a frisky approach of bouncy bass from Sam Jones, and plenty of lively sax.
“Talking Blues” exits the listen with 2 different versions, where one brings a talk/singing dynamic from David Smyrl alongside Billy Higgs’ animated drums, and the other is a soulful, instrumental affair that’s quite dynamic.
A recording that has truly stood the test of time, Clifford and company make his most vocally focused body of work one of his best, too, and it radiates an artistic, adventurous and timeless jazz experience.
Travels well with: Kevin O’Connell Quartet- Hot New York Minutes; Tomas Janzon- Nomadic