The music on
The Mellow Side of Clifford Jordan is rarer and more valuable than one would think from the outside packaging of the CD. Nowhere does it mention that the seven selections were previously unreleased and, despite its title, not all of the music is taken at a slow ballad tempo. These spontaneous performances, recorded by Mapleshade during
Clifford Jordan's visits over a four year period, feature him in unusual settings. "Embraceable You" teams the distinctive tenor with organist
Mike LeDonne and Brazilian drummer
Edison Machado. "C.J.'s Riff" features a unique trio comprised of
Jordan, fellow tenor
Carter Jefferson and drummer
Nasar Abadey who, having not brought his instrument along, plays a percussion set comprised of pots and pans. The same trio plus trombonist
Julian Priester and baritonist
Fred Cook (with
Jordan switching to soprano) somehow sounds like a full group on "Five 'N' Free" despite the lack of piano and bass.
Jordan teams up with trumpeter
Kenny Reed (whom he had never played with before) and pianist
Larry Willis for an emotional "Trees" and "Soul Eyes." In addition,
Jordan plays duets with guitarist
Ruby Turner ("Jug's Groove") and takes soprano with pianist
Chris Anderson ("Daydream"). Although not completely flawless, the music is quite rewarding overall and displays the flexibility and creativity of the late great
Clifford Jordan.
–
Scott Yanow, Rovi