We Insist! Max Roach' Freedom Now Suite (1960)

"This was a pivotal work in the early-'60s African-American protest movement, and continues to be relevant. It represents a lesson in living as to how the hundreds of years prior were an unnecessary example of how oppression kept slaves and immigrants in general in their place. Vocalist Abbey Lincoln expresses this oppression as effectively with her thespian-based wordless vocals, and Oscar Brown's lyrics tell the grim story of the struggle of African-American for far too long. Musically, Roach assembled one of the greatest bands, from his own emerging ensemble with trombonist Julian Priester and trumpeter Booker Little, to the legendary Coleman Hawkins and lesser-known, underappreciated tenor saxophonist Walter Benton. Percussionists Ray Mantilla and Michael Olatunji gave the poetic pieces sung by Lincoln enough substance and spice to also refer to Afro-Cuban and South American prejudice and urgency for change." (Michael G. Nastos, Allmusic) NB: voor deze CD-versie is duidelijk een LP als master gebruikt.