Strata-East Records
Founded in 1971 by Charles Tolliver and Stanley Cowell, Strata-East let the artists keep their music.
The short version
Trumpeter Charles Tolliver and pianist Stanley Cowell started Strata-East in 1971. It began with the self-titled debut by their own band, Music Inc. NPR describes it as one of the first artist-driven collectives: ownership of the music stayed with the composer or bandleader. The label put out more than 50 albums in the 1970s.
Capra Black by Billy Harper (Strata-East). Album cover shown for commentary; copyright remains with the label.
Charles Tolliver, co-founder, at The Town Hall. Photo by Gene Jackson, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Who to hear
- Billy Harper. Watch our film on Capra Black (5:23). Capra Black is the label's spiritual jazz anchor.
- Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson. Winter in America (1974).
- Clifford Jordan. A saxophonist from the label's early circle.
- Charles Tolliver and Music Inc. The label's first release.
- Stanley Cowell. The co-founder, a pianist. NPR notes his Strata-East work includes kora and mbira alongside piano.
Stanley Cowell, co-founder, June 1977. Photo by Tom Marcello, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Where to start
Start with Capra Black. It is also in our 10 albums guide and has its own Deep Listen.
Why it matters
The money model is part of the music. Artists on Strata-East owned what they made, at a time when most labels did not allow that. Tolliver told NPR that, given everything it took, he would do it again.
Watch
Our full documentary on the label. Jump to a chapter: Detroit roots (0:50), the 85/15 split (4:19), Billy Harper's Capra Black (5:23), Glass Bead Games (8:06), Winter in America (9:20).
Sources
More label guides are on the labels page. Want the short route in? Grab the free 10 albums guide.
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