Roland Kirk - We Free Kings (Verve Acoustic Sounds Series) - VINYL LP

Roland Kirk was an extremely talented multi-instrumentalist, who lost his sight at a very early age, and played unconventional jazz, which was not entirely free but in which melodic and very beautiful phases alternated with moments of complete dissonance and conjured up his urban background, especially reflecting his view of the world as a handicapped man. Kirk was not only famous for his unique sound achieved through his playing several instruments simultaneously and his innovative approach to music but also for his dynamic live performances. In November 1967 Kirk left EmArcy for Atlantic Records, leading his quartet through a highly introspective, somewhat melancholy programme, which was based in the blues and groove traditions of the mid-60s. Kirk himself played flutes, the stritch, manzello and tenor saxophones, the whistle, clarinet and more - precisely those instruments that had created his unique sound, particularly when some of these instruments were played simultaneously by him. Jazz critics who had previously criticised Kirk's sound now praised him once they had heard the restrained and elegantly layered InchBlack And Crazy BluesInch, the breathtakingly executed InchCreole Love CallInch, the razor-sharp soul in InchThe Inflated TearInch and the gyrating lyricism of the winds in InchFly By NightInch - and quite rightly so. Roland Kirk convinced his listenership anyway and sold over 10,000 copies of the present LP in the very first year of it's . This is Roland Kirk in his most competent and visionary form; his reading of jazz harmony and capricious sonances is virtually incomparable. This Speakers Corner reissue LP was remastered using pure analogue components only, from the master tapes through to the cutting head. More information under Pure-analogue. #com. All royalties and mechanical rights have been paid. Recording November 1967 in Webster Hall, New Y

Vinyl LP pressing. With Blacknuss, it's as if Kirk is taking listeners on a trip - from the top forty world of Soul Train to the roots of soul in gospel music and back in Africa. It is a remarkable musical-cultural shift in perspective and one that carries the listener with it. Exploding with near chaotic energy, this album makes a great soundtrack to a party about to teeter out of control. Cut all analog!

Limited 200gm vinyl LP pressing. Live archive . Previously unreleased recording from the legendary multi- instrumentalist Roland Kirk. Kirk's influence and following reaches far beyond Jazz. Hendrix idolized him and it's easy to see why. His appetite for ripping up the rulebook has brought kudos and admirers from all sides, giving him a status and respect that ensures an unearthed, never before released recording such as this has added importance.