Strataeast R

Pharoah Sanders' Izipho Zam (My Gifts) is a groundbreaking jazz masterpiece. Recorded in 1969, two years after John Coltrane's passing, and released in 1973 on Strata-East, the album features a 13-member ensemble, including Sonny Sharrock, Lonnie Liston Smith, Cecil McBee, and Leon Thomas. Blending Eastern influences with expansive jazz, Sanders' genius is highlighted with "Prince of Peace," showcasing Thomas' unique vocals, and the 28-minute title track, offering an exploration of dissonance and harmony with West African percussion and meditative chants. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl at Record Technology Inc. (RTI) and mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, the vinyl edition comes in high-quality, glossy tip-on gatefold jackets. It also includes new liner notes by Harmony Holiday and never-before-seen photos, making this release a must-have for jazz enthusiasts and collectors alike.

One of many projects on Strata-East spearheaded by bassist, composer, and arranger Bill Lee (legendary director Spike Lee's father), The Descendants of Mike and Phoebe's only album, A Spirit Speaks, enlists Lee's brother and sisters-Cliff Lee, Grace Lee Mims, and Consuela Lee Moorhead-to form a group named in tribute to their enslaved ancestors. Combining elements of jazz, gospel, soul, and blues, among other influences, A Spirit Speaks has become one of the most sought-after albums from the catalog. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI, mastered by Kevin Gray (Cohearant Audio) with audio cut directly from the original analog tapes and featuring never-before-scene photos with new liner notes in a glossy tip-on gatefold deluxe package, this one-of-a-kind album can be celebrated with the care and attention it deserves. This is a 2025 Black Friday Record Store Day release.

Released in 1976 on the pioneering Strata-East Records label, Marchin' On! feat. Stanley Cowell by The Heath Brothers is a masterful blend of tradition and innovation that captured the spirit of an evolving jazz scene. Combining the lyrical brilliance of Jimmy Heath on saxophone, the grounding presence of Percy Heath on bass, and the dynamic rhythm of Albert "Tootie" Heath on drums-alongside pianist and label co-founder Stanley Cowell-the album bridged the hard bop roots of the 1950s with the spiritual and socially conscious music of the 1970s.

One of many projects on Strata-East spearheaded by bassist, composer, and arranger Bill Lee (legendary director Spike Lee's father), The Descendants of Mike and Phoebe's only album, A Spirit Speaks, enlists Lee's brother and sisters-Clif Lee, A. Grace Lee Mims, and Consuela Lee Moorehead-to form a group named in tribute to their enslaved ancestors. Combining elements of jazz, gospel, soul, and blues, among other influences, A Spirit Speaks has become one of the most sought-after albums from the catalog. Audio remastered from the original tapes at 192khz/24 bit plus newly commissioned liner notes by Harmony Holiday and never-before-seen photos.

Cecil McBee's debut album, Mutima, stands as a landmark achievement in 1970s jazz, blending the deeply introspective qualities of spiritual jazz with adventurous post-bop and avant-garde influences. Released in 1974 on the revered Strata-East label, the album highlights McBee's virtuosic skill on the bass alongside his remarkable gift for crafting compositions that resonate with emotional and intellectual depth. Backed by a stellar ensemble featuring luminaries such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Onaje Allan Gumbs, and Dom Salvador, Mutima - translated as "unseen forces" - unfolds as a vivid musical journey.

As Strata-East's debut release, Music Inc. by Charles Tolliver and Stanley Cowell set the standard for creative expression, artistic freedom, and musical mastery that Tolliver and co-founder Cowell exemplified throughout their celebrated careers. Recorded on November 11, 1970, Music Inc. is a masterclass in executing a singular creative vision for large ensembles, with the core band-led by Tolliver's expertise-featuring Cowell on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Jimmy Hopps on drums. Now mastered by Kevin Gray with audio cut directly from the original analog tapes the album that started a revolution is available digitally for the first time, embodying the freedom and finesse that Strata-East has been synonymous with since the 1970s.

Released in 1976 on the pioneering Strata-East Records label, Marchin' On! feat. Stanley Cowell by The Heath Brothers is a masterful blend of tradition and innovation that captured the spirit of an evolving jazz scene. Combining the lyrical brilliance of Jimmy Heath on saxophone, the grounding presence of Percy Heath on bass, and the dynamic rhythm of Albert "Tootie" Heath on drums-alongside pianist and label co-founder Stanley Cowell-the album bridged the hard bop roots of the 1950s with the spiritual and socially conscious music of the 1970s.