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EJ Strickland: The Undying Spirit

By C. Michael Bailey
April 8, 2015
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Drummer Enoch Jamal Strickland belongs to a technically brilliant and forward-thinking group of young musicians that include multi-reedist

Sharel Cassity

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Sharel Cassity, vocalist/trombonist

" data-original-title="" title="">Natalie Cressman, and violinist/vocalist Nora Germaine. These musicians prove that youth is not wasted on the young. Strickland, New School-educated, is a veteran of The

Ravi Coltrane

saxophone, tenor
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Ravi Coltrane Quartet, The

Marcus Strickland

clarinet, bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Marcus Strickland Quartet and Trio, and The

Russell Malone

guitar
1963 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Russell Malone Quartet. He recently provided the drumming firepower for

Manuel Valera

piano
b.1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Manuel Valera's uniformly fine Live at Firehouse 12 (Mavo Records, 2015).

Strickland debuted as a leader with 2009's In This Day (Strick Music). He has taken his time producing his sophomore effort, The Undying Spirit. He opens the disc like any self-respecting drummer-leader should, with an extended percussion introduction with one of the most potent back-beats one can hear. "Ride" is propelled by Strickland and bassist Linda Ho who seems to be everywhere at once. Joining Strickland is his twin brother, Marcus, who fills the tenor-soprano chair of this reeds-heavy quintet.

Strickland's composing is streamlined, with flowing logical lines of melody. "For My Home Folks" is a ballad delicately composed with a muted throb flowing beneath the extensive head. "Tune for S.C" is equally serpentine with a softly-lined head and soloing. The single non-original is the late

Cedar Walton

piano
1934 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Cedar Walton's "Hindsight." Strickland's most forward-thinking drumming is saved for this piece. His deft cymbal work fills all available space, recalling a young

Tony Williams

drums
1945 - 1997

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Williams or

Lenny White

drums
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Lenny White. Now there is some company to keep.

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Track Listing

Ride; For My Home Folks; Transcendence; Ballad for All Mankind; Hindsight; Bomba for Leel and Max; Midnight��s Clearing; A Dance for Mojo��s Return; tune for S.C.; Impromptivity.

Personnel

E.J. Strickland

drums

EJ Strickland: drums; Jaleel Shaw: alto saxophone; Marcus Strickland: tenor & soprano saxophones; Luis Perdomo: piano; Linda Ho: bass.

Album information

Title: The Undying Spirit | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Self Produced

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