As we honour Black History Month, we present another of drummer Max Roach's albums that reflect not only his concern with innovative music but his political stance on justice, equality and civil rights. Roach radically changed his approach to music in the volatile climate of the USA in the early 1960's. Has it really changed much? Mr. Roach and his Ensemble and 6 of his compositions grace this album, his first for Impulse Records. It was called "Percussion Bitter Sweet". Roach's Ensemble consists of trumpeter Booker Little, trombonist Julian Priester, the amazing Eric Dolphy on flute/bass clarinet and alto saxophone, Clifford Jordan on tenor saxophone, Mal Waldron on piano, Art Davis on bass, Carlos "Patato" Valdes on conga drums and Carlos "Totico" Eugenio on percussion and timbales. Vocalist Abbey Lincoln appears on the first two compositions...wordless on the first called "Garvey's Ghost" and with words by Mr. Roach on "Mendacity". Check out Max roach and his music tonight as our tribute to Black History Month.
