High and Mighty

In every community, there are recordings that capture more than music. They preserve a moment in time, a gathering of people, a sound, and a history that might otherwise be lost.

Recorded in Portland in 1975, High And Mighty documents one of the city's most beloved gospel groups during a period when Black churches served as essential centers of musical innovation, cultural expression, and community life. Their sound reflects a generation of musicians shaped by both sacred tradition and the evolving musical landscape of the Pacific Northwest—where gospel harmonies, funk and soul-inflected arrangements, and exceptional musicians filled church sanctuaries throughout Albina. This recording captures a taste of the raw musicianship on display in those spaces.

For some who witnessed High And Mighty perform, their performances were unforgettable. Congregations rose to their feet, clapping, singing, and responding to the group's electrifying performances. Anchored by powerful lead vocals of James Jiles and the distinctive guitar work of Roy Maxie, High And Mighty brought a spirit and energy that transformed every room they entered.

This release also marks a remarkable milestone in Portland music history: the earliest commercially available recording of drummer Carlton Jackson, who was only fifteen years old when these tracks were recorded.

Long before he became a beloved voice on KMHD Jazz Radio and one of Oregon's most respected musicians, educators, collectors, and cultural ambassadors, Carlton Jackson was already demonstrating the extraordinary musical gifts that would define his life. Equally at home in jazz, funk, gospel, orchestral, and popular music settings, Mr. Jackson's discipline and deep musical knowledge made him one of the region's most in demand drummers. His instincts and precision are evident throughout these recordings.

Following Mr. Jackson's passing in 2021, Albina Music Trust began stewarding and digitally preserving the Carlton Jackson Collection as part of AMT's community archive. Among thousands of photographs, recordings, documents, and artifacts documenting Black musical life in Oregon, this album as well as additional live recordings of High And Mighty can now be accessed via AMT's digital archive.

Nearly fifty years after it was recorded, High And Mighty stands as both a testament to Portland's rich gospel tradition and a tribute to one of its most cherished musicians at the very beginning of his journey. In collaboration with Jumbo's Elusive Vinyl imprint, this recording continues AMT's mission to preserve and amplify the legacy of Black music rooted in Portland's historic Albina community.