We Insist! Max Roach's Freedom Now Suite, co-authored by
Max Roach and
Oscar Brown, Jr., was a pivotal work in the early-'60s African-American protest movement, and continues to be relevant in its message and tenacity. 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 as anyone could with her thespian-based wordless vocals, and lyrics written by
Brown that 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.
Hawkins is particularly impressive, as his emotional range during the deep and dour, 5/4 slave song "Driva' Man" clearly feeds off of
Lincoln's blues singing about quittin' time. "Triptych; Prayer/Peace/Protest" is the magnum opus of the set, introduced by
Roach's signature drum moves, an eerie operatic vocal or oppressed angst yelling from
Lincoln, and a 5/4 beat from the percussionist against a calmer vocal component, all written for interpretive dance. Of the modern jazz that
Roach is renowned for, the horns jump into furious hard bop with solos from
Little,
Benton, and
Priester on "Freedom Day" after
Lincoln quietly invites you to "whisper/listen," while the obscure bassist James Schenck leads in 6/8 and 5/4 ostinato over
Lincoln's sustained tones on "Tears for Johannesburg," with the layered horns in and out of well-wrought harmonies, and another triad of instrumental solos. "All Africa" sports lyrics about being on the beach, or maybe the beach head in the battle for freedom, as chants of tribal names echo similar village beats. This is a pivotal work in the discography of
Roach and African-American music in general, its importance growing in relevance and timely, postured, real emotional output. Every modern man, woman, and child could learn exponentially listening to this recording -- a hallmark for living life. ~ Michael G. Nastos