Strata East reissues

[Graham H]

.....to continue a conversation from Tone Poet thread as there seems to be quite a bit of uncertainty and debate about the quality of recent Strata East reissues; not the music per se, but rather the mastering and sound quality:

Glass Bead Game was one I was going to get sometime ago, but was I put off by it being a needle drop and also reports of poor sound quality. Seems from what you are saying it is even worst than I thought (at least in parts). I was interested in the Shemek Farrah 'First Impressions' (that Hockman mentioned), Billy Parker's Fourth World and the Cecil Payne Zodiac. Do you have any of those?

So far I have 7 Strata East reissues, all by Pure Pleasure. They are:

Music Inc. - Charles Tolliver/Stanley Cowell/et al
Zodiac - Cecil Payne
Rhythm X - Charles Brackeen
Capra Black - Billy Harper
Don’t Look Back - Harold Vick
Glass Bead Games - Clifford Jordan
First Impressions - Shamek Farrah

Jim - I’d agree with Hockman, Pure Pleasure Glass Bead Games also sounds like a needle drop to me. But excellent pressing and sleeve quality, and although the variable SQ is annoying, the music is powerful and engaging. Don’t expect Tone Poet quality.

The Cecil Payne is excellent, although I detect some grain esp in HF. This could either be worn tape, tape saturation or a well disguised needle drop. But it grooves when it has to.

Shamek Farrah is probably the most consistent of the three you’ve asked about. Again, agreeing with Hockman, it’s decent enough - think Pathe Marconi level BN not Tone Poet, although it does have a nice full sound. Beautiful music.

Generally as a series I’d recommend them - although with some reservation especially if you are expecting Kevin Gray type AAA mastering. But musically they are life enhancing and worth the outlay.

Anyone anything constructive to add? Favourite titles and recommendations? Comparisons with original first pressings?

 

[poco a poco]

Graham, many thanks and for starting this new thread that helps keep the Tone Poet one on topic.

I'm not expecting Tone Poet quality though it would be nice as long as it's decent enough to properly convey the spirit of the music and as there are not any reasonably priced (cheapish) CD it seems that the Pure Pleasure reissues are the only way to go if you don't do streaming.

I am not really that familiar with these Strata East recordings so I look forward to recommendations here. I'll check a few more out on YouTube and probably try a couple on vinyl to see what I think of the mastering and pressings.

 

[Graham H]

FWIW two of my favourites, and two of the better sounding reissues, are Billy Harper’s Capra Black and Tolliver’s Music Inc. Music Inc is a phenomenal 17 piece band, exhilarating.

Looks like this thread isn’t going to have much traction. I’d have thought there would be quite a bit of interest and maybe a few people with originals.

And if I already haven’t said it, the Pure Pleasure reissues are great pressings (Pallas I believe) despite my doubts about master tape sources.

 

[poco a poco]

FWIW two of my favourites, and two of the better sounding reissues, are Billy Harper’s Capra Black and Tolliver’s Music Inc. Music Inc is a phenomenal 17 piece band, exhilarating.

Looks like this thread isn’t going to have much traction. I’d have thought there would be quite a bit of interest and maybe a few people with originals.

And if I already haven’t said it, the Pure Pleasure reissues are great pressings (Pallas I believe) despite my doubts about master tape sources.

Well give it time hopefully there will be a few more responses eventually:


Thanks for your recommendations. Even though I don't really want to spend more money and also upset SWMBO by taking up more storage space for vinyl I am interested in expanding my very limited knowledge of these titles.

I agree nothing wrong with Pure Pleasure pressings, not that I have many, but they have always been less than clear about the source used for each issue. At least it seems a little more honest now "from the best available source" so that you can read into that what you will. I think it sort of implied from mastertapes in the past?

 

[poco a poco]

I found this 'Strata East in 10 records' on the Vinyl Factory site and I am starting to work my way through the YouTube links. I'm really liking the first one:
Mtume Umoja Ensemble
Alkebu-Lan: Land Of The Blacks
I think @Tony L would like this one and some of the others re his last post in Tone Poets and the reference to
Shabaka Hutchings, Kamasi Washington.
https://thevinylfactory.com/features/an-introduction-to-strata-east-in-10-records/

 

[paulfromcamden]

I really like everything I've heard on Strata East - I just wish there was a more affordable way of picking it up. Even CD reissues are out of print and expensive. Would be great if someone put out an affordable CD series (or perhaps I've just become to used to how cheap CDs are now!)

Though it's great Pure Pleasure have put together a proper reissue program. For years the Strata East catalog has been issued mostly as one-offs on different labels.

 

[poco a poco]

I really like everything I've heard on Strata East - I just wish there was a more affordable way of picking it up. Even CD reissues are out of print and expensive. Would be great if someone put out an affordable CD series (or perhaps I've just become to used to how cheap CDs are now!)

Though it's great Pure Pleasure have put together a proper reissue program. For years the Strata East catalog has been issued mostly as one-offs on different labels.

I have just looked at prices for Mtume Umoja Ensemble Alkebu-Lan: Land Of The Blacks!

 

[Graham H]

I really like everything I've heard on Strata East - I just wish there was a more affordable way of picking it up. Even CD reissues are out of print and expensive. Would be great if someone put out an affordable CD series (or perhaps I've just become to used to how cheap CDs are now!

Paul - maybe would like to list a few SE favourites and recommendations. I’d like to know, I’m sure a few others would too. Music should be a life long learning curve.

Don’t think a CD series would necessarily be cheap, most CDs on my radar seem to be going up in price.

And again, just in case I haven’t already said it, the Pure Pleasure sleeves are excellent, identical graphics to originals from what I can tell, nicely laminated without any barcodes or Pure Pleasure logos etc.

 

[paulfromcamden]

@Graham H - I'm not the person to ask - I've enjoyed everything on the label I've heard but budget constraints have prevented me delving too deeply!

 

[John C]

I have an early 70s reissue of Zodiac, great music but strata east recordings always sound shut in to me. Capra Black is magisterial but I am a great Billy Harper fan. The one I have is a Denon Japanese reissue and sounds better than the pure pleasure. Also have music inc live at Slugs on Japanese vinyl which is great. Never found an affordable Glass Bead Games in many years of searching. Might just get the pure pleasure. In general I’d be happy with CDs. I always feel Strata East is of more historical importance than musical but maybe should rethink

 

[Graham H]

I have an early 70s reissue of Zodiac, great music but strata east recordings always sound shut in to me. Capra Black is magisterial but I am a great Billy Harper fan. The one I have is a Denon Japanese reissue and sounds better than the pure pleasure. Also have music inc live at Slugs on Japanese vinyl which is great. Never found an affordable Glass Bead Games in many years of searching. Might just get the pure pleasure. In general I’d be happy with CDs. I always feel Strata East is of more historical importance than musical but maybe should rethink

Strata East used many different studios, and production varies dramatically depending on the record. I’d agree some posses that very dead shut in 1970s studio sound, but nothing that really gets in the way of the music too much.

I used to feel the same about Strata East’s historical importance over musical merit, and at the time was too busy buying Sun Ra, Coltrane and ESP records to give it my full attention. But listening and reevaluating them over the last several years I think I was mistaken. Some great ideas and playing buried within.

Agree with you on Billy Harper - magisterial is a great description of his playing; makes you sit up and listen to every phrase. Been listening to Black Saint on Black Saint.

 

[Seanm]

FWIW two of my favourites, and two of the better sounding reissues, are Billy Harper’s Capra Black and Tolliver’s Music Inc. Music Inc is a phenomenal 17 piece band, exhilarating.

Looks like this thread isn’t going to have much traction. I’d have thought there would be quite a bit of interest and maybe a few people with originals.

And if I already haven’t said it, the Pure Pleasure reissues are great pressings (Pallas I believe) despite my doubts about master tape sources.

No, thanks for bringing it up: hadn’t heard about the reissues and haven’t really heard much Strata East beyond a Soul Jazz compilation (20 years ago?) Will check some of these out.

 

[hockman]

I am not sure what else that I could usefully add. Over the last decade, I've been looking for Strata East albums and have acquired a number of original pressings, japanese pressings and some reissues. They were not that common but not that sought after at the same time, hence prices were generally quite reasonable e.g. anywhere from 20-30 euros. Then more recently, they really took off probably due to social media exposure and the rise of the hugely derivative 'spiritual jazz' music of Kamasi Washington and other musicians of his ilk. Every cool and 'sophisticated' collector now must seek out the same few f@cking records although there are plenty of other interesting but less obvious albums out there. So looking for these original records has become a frustrating & expensive affair. Don't get me started on Nimbus or Black Jazz label albums.

As pointed out earlier, there has been no proper reissue program whether on LP or CD. The Pure Pleasure reissues are affordable and frankly quite decent. The sonic quality is going to be variable TBH because who knows whether the masters exist or not. I do know as a fact that Strata East usually only provides a digital file to others for reissues. Sometimes the quality is so poor that people rather use their own vinyl record for remastering purposes.

I am not going to pay 500euros for the Shamek Farrah or the Pharoah Sanders record. So if you are at all interested in this music (& contrary to some, I do think Strata East recordings are important musically not just historically), your best bet are the PP reissues.

Looks like this thread isn’t going to have much traction. I’d have thought there would be quite a bit of interest and maybe a few people with originals.

And if I already haven’t said it, the Pure Pleasure reissues are great pressings (Pallas I believe) despite my doubts about master tape sources.

 

[hockman]

One last note, several years ago Mosaic released a big box set of the Clifford Jordan produced sessions that included some of the Strata East albums and some unreleased sessions of the same period. It has now gone OOP but I'd expect the sound quality to be very decent. Unfortunately I had decided against buying it at the time because I had wanted to acquire the original records. Sadly in hind sight this was a poor decision on my part, seeing how difficult and expensive it has become to find these albums.

 

[Graham H]

Thanks for your thoughts Hockman.

Every cool and 'sophisticated' collector now must seek out the same few f@cking records although there are plenty of other interesting but less obvious albums out there.

Fortunately I don’t fit that description. My dad listened to and collected big band jazz. Bought my first jazz LP in 1974 aged 14, Interstellar Space. It’d just been posthumously released. Never stopped since, even acquiring original Saturns imported by Chris Cutler in the early 80s. They were about £5 each, and I actually think he had a hard time selling any in the UK. But I share your frustration, especially when most collectors and dealers seem to know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Agree with your assessment of the Strata East as quite decent. If there are any forthcoming titles you rate I’d really like to know your thoughts, as I’m sure a few others would.

 

[kjb]

I didn't realise Winter in America was a Strata release - its one of my favourite records and The Bottle one of my favourite songs. I've only got a 1981 reissue, called The Bottle rather than Winter in America, but with the same cover art on the horribly names AFE - "Audio Fidelity Enterprises" - which slips off the tongue nicely. Now I want a Strata East edition. Mind you, according to Discogs a VG AFE edition costs nearly the same as a Strata.

 

[hockman]

Winter in America is certainly an oddity in the Strata East catalog. I do not know the history but Gil Scott only recorded one album and it's the only soul/R&B record on the label. As it happens, it must have been quite popular since it seems more common and can still be found at reasonable prices. I am a big fan of Gil Scott, and if you have any interest in this sort of music, this one is worth seeking out.

Also Gil Scott has also found himself on the radar of the social media driven 'collectors' and their 'must have' records. His records have gone up in price a lot lately much to my exasperation.

 

[Graham H]

Winter in America is certainly an oddity in the Strata East catalog. I do not know the history but Gil Scott only recorded one album and it's the only soul/R&B record on the label. As it happens, it must have been quite popular since it seems more common and can still be found at reasonable prices.

Intersting point. This is from an essay by Stuart Baker in Freedon, Rhythm and Sound:

“The label’s promise of economic and artistic empowerment must have seemed like an oasis to musicians usually working with market forces, promotion and publicity, fashion and image. The fact that (Strata East) was musician owned meant there was no confusion over the intentions of the company and with Stanley Cowell’s and Charles Tolliver’s credibility.............Musically speaking Strata East charted the middle ground between the avant garde and the mainstream - a polemical space ever since the 1960s. Strata East’s output was deep but accessible, always serious and never market lead. The huge success of Gil Scott Heron’s album Winter In America, and the single The Bottle, was a happy coincidence of artist’s vision and consumer taste rather than a search for commercialism”

 

[hockman]

This is spot-on. I often wonder whether the fact that the musicians themselves own the masters explains why the sources for the reissues (& hence the variation in sonic quality) are all over the place.

As you probably know, Cowell just died but Tolliver is still around and making music. Their albums together are some of my favorite albums in the catalog.

 

[Graham H]

This is spot-on. I often wonder whether the fact that the musicians themselves own the masters explains why the sources for the reissues (& hence the variation in sonic quality) are all over the place.

There was a bit of a debate over at LJC a few years back about this. I found a fairly recent interview with Clifford Jordan who maintained the master tapes for Glass Bead Games where at his home and no reissue label had approached him regarding their use. I’m sure the situation is a tangled mess for the most part.

However, Charles Tolliver’s Compassion arrived and sounds excellent, great pressing, nice session.

I am going to delve deeper into the Tolliver/Cowell catalogue, thanks for the recommendation.