Strata-East: The Legacy begins

[GA Russell]

Mack Avenue Music Group Announces Partnership with Strata-East Records   Strata-East: The Legacy Begins Digital-Only Anthology Available February 21, 2025   The digital-only anthology Strata-East: The Legacy Begins, available February 21, 2025, celebrates the revolutionary spirit of one of the most influential artist-owned independent jazz labels in history. This anthology, a partnership between Mack Avenue Music Group and Strata-East, brings together iconic tracks that embody Strata-East’s commitment to artistry and creative freedom. Featuring the explosive brilliance of Charles Tolliver and Stanley Cowell, the soulful expressions of The Heath Brothers, Charlie Rouse, Shamek Farrah, Pharoah Sanders, and more, the collection showcases cult classics from the label’s deep catalog while honoring the extraordinary artists who shaped its legacy.   This release not only marks the launch of the partnership between Strata-East and Mack Avenue Music Group but also delivers the label’s highest-quality audio anthology, transferred directly from the original master tapes and available digitally for the first time. A reflection of Strata-East’s dedication to spiritual jazz and social consciousness, this compilation invites listeners to rediscover classics or experience them anew. Strata-East: The Legacy Begins celebrates the timelessness of this music while marking the start of an exciting new chapter.     "We are excited to partner with Charles, Ched, and the Strata-East team to bring this beloved music to the world with the highest quality audio and care taken to preserve its purest form. We can't wait for everyone to hear what we have coming," said Will Wakefield, Senior Director of A&R for Mack Avenue Music Group.   Specializing in avant-garde and post-bop jazz, Strata-East’s notable albums include Tolliver's Music Inc, Cowell’s Musa: Ancestral Streams, Charlie Rouse’s Two is One and Billy Harper's Capra Black. Strata-East addressed social and political themes resonant with the Black Arts Movement. Its pioneering approach to artist rights has inspired generations of musicians and independent labels, cementing its place in jazz history.   Strata-East's roster featured timelessly influential musicians who intertwined music with spoken word in response to their cultural moment. This includes Sanders, known for his spiritual and avant-garde explorations that inspired a shift in mainstream jazz offerings.   Despite its short period of recorded music output, Strata-East's commitment to artistic freedom and high production standards earned it a revered place in jazz history. Its pioneering approach to artist rights and control has inspired generations of musicians and independent labels, contributing to a vibrant and diverse musical landscape.   More information to come in the following weeks. Strata-East co-founder Charles Tolliver performing at LPR for Winter Jazzfest 2025. | Photo by Lev Radin Strata-East: The Legacy Begins Mack Avenue Music Group/Strata-East · Release Date: February 21, 2025   For more information on Strata-East, please visit: www.serecs.com          # # #

[felser]

I hope individual albums are made avavailable, not just an anthology of selected tracks.  That would be a lost opportunity.  Tolliver is 82 years old, so this may be the last best opportunity for some of this iconic label to be presented.

[colinmce]

This seems very promising.

So far SE reissues have been mostly vinyl-only or from P-Vine, and absurdly expensive either way. Mack Ave does CDs, and very affordable ones to boot.

[T.D.]

Very promising, but the above anthology is digital-only so IMO CDs are far from certain.

[jlhoots]

Digital only - phooey!!

[colinmce]

I get the sense from the release that the sampler is just a teaser and not indicative of future releases being digital-only.

[T.D.]

1 hour ago, colinmce said:

I get the sense from the release that the sampler is just a teaser and not indicative of future releases being digital-only.

I (and maybe some other dinosaurs) hope so!

Mack Avenue does seem to release CDs. IIRC they took over the MaxJazz label (who released a whole lot of "At Yoshi's" live albums and a number of Jessica Williams CDs back in the day).

[david weiss]

From what I'm told, they will begin to release individual albums on vinyl starting on Record Store Day. The goal is to release the entire catalog (or whatever is still owned by Strata East) digitally at some point. I'm sure we will find out more in the coming months. 

[felser]

29 minutes ago, david weiss said:

From what I'm told, they will begin to release individual albums on vinyl starting on Record Store Day. The goal is to release the entire catalog (or whatever is still owned by Strata East) digitally at some point. I'm sure we will find out more in the coming months. 

Good to hear, even if it is digital.  Much better yet if CD's become available.