For those unaware, this long-lost 1974 recording Drink Plenty Water ... from the late Chicago tenor sax master Clifford Jordan is finally available.

Originally recorded for the Strata-East label, Drink Plenty Water is Clifford’s only primarily vocal recording release, with inventive arrangements courtesy of bassist Bill Lee.

Joining Jordan are Dick Griffin on trombone, Bill Hardman on trumpet, Charlie Rouse on bass clarinet, Strata East co-founder Stanley Cowell on piano, Billy Higgins on drums, Bernard Fennell on cello, and Lee and Sam Jones on bass.

Her late husband’s passion project, Sandy Jordan spearheaded the effort to release Drink Plenty Water. Jordan’s daughter, Donna Jordan Harris sings lead vocals on several tracks, backed by remaining members of the ensemble.

The vocal arrangements bring an unexpected new take to the compositions “Witch Doctor’s Chant (Ee-Bah-Lickey-Doo)” and “I’ve Got a Feeling for You” that first appeared on Clifford Jordan’s 1968 album Soul Fountain. 1. The Highest Mountain
2. Witch Doctor’s Chant (Ee-Bah-Lickey-Doo)
3. Drink Plenty Water and Walk Slow
4. I’ve Got a Feeling For You
5. My Papa’s Coming Home
6. Talking Blues
7. Talking Blues (instrumental)

Opening on the deliciously vibrant, airy and yet wholesome The Highest Mountain and the soulfully-hued Witch Doctor’s Chant (Ee-Bah-Lickey-Doo), and they are followed by the veritably spoken-word storytelling within the invoking Drink Plenty Water and Walk Slow.

Along next is the spirited I’ve Got a Feeling For You and that is in turn backed by the fervently-charged My Papa’s Coming Home, the album rounding out with another jaunty blues-jazz slice of spoken word within the near ten minute Talking Blues, closing on an instrumental version of the same track.

Additional tracks include “My Papa’s Coming Home,” a rhythm changes vamp with what trombonist Griffin describes as a “stunning” solo from the leader, and “Drink Plenty Water and Walk Slow,” a short track featuring Fennell and Jordan under a spoken word story from actor David Smyrl.

Other highlights of the 35-minute-long recording are the two tracks titled “Talking Blues” – a spoken-word story from Smyrl about a hustler living the fast life, followed by the instrumental track that reveals great interplay between Jordan, Hardman, Fennell and Griffin.

Official Purchase Link