Roland Kirk - We Free Kings

A standout in Rahsaan Roland Kirk's early recordings rep, We Free Kings (1962) snaps the young multi-instrumentalist from Columbus, Ohio in sharp and fitted suited form, striking a confident balance between bop-rooted sophistication and latent warm expression. The album has two rhythm sections - Hank Jones and Wendell Marshall on one, Richard Wyands and Art Davis on the other - with Charlie Persip anchoring on drums throughout. While the majority evidences Kirk's prowess as composer and arranger, his interpretation of Charlie Parker's 'Blues for Alice' curves the ball with a fierce, swinging homage; clearly, there's no peace for this mouthpiece. Part of Verve's Acoustic Sounds Series, this one comes again with all-analog remastering from the original tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and housed in a deluxe gatefold sleeve.