In response to a serious health scare, George Evelyn approached
Shout Out! To Freedom as if it would be his final recording. It's no doubt the deepest
Nightmares on Wax LP. Babylon and issues such as surveillance, spiritual colonization, and liberation are referenced in the lyrics, which also get into romantic and introspective matters, and at times are vague enough to be open to interpretation. The cast of vocalists is varied, with Haile Supreme -- seemingly inspired here most by
What's Going On-era
Marvin Gaye -- in a recurring role as a wise, consciousness-raising companion. The album has even more to offer from a musical standpoint. Aided by a wealth of musicians including drummer
Wolfgang Haffner, reedist
Shabaka Hutchings, and returning keyboardist
Robin Taylor-Firth, Evelyn offers some of his headiest and most emotive productions. Among these are a gorgeous
Taylor-Firth-driven meditation ("Imagineering"), a foreboding loop ripe for a psychological thriller ("Miami 80"), and an early-'70s soul throwback with bass so deep that it sounds like it's booming out of a literally underground after-hours ("Own Me"). ~ Andy Kellman