Roland Kirk’s We Free Kings is the newest basic jazz album to obtain a vinyl reissue via Verve’s Acoustic Sounds Collection. Initially launched in 1962, the report struck a steadiness between pop and soul, whereas additionally highlighting Kirk’s signature polyphonic method to music.
The title monitor of We Free Kings is a Kirk composition, the place the multi-instrumentalist (together with tenor saxophone, manzello, flute, and stritch saxophone) put his spin on the basic Christmas carol “We Three Kings.” The album is a mixture of originals that showcase Kirk’s sharp arranging and writing abilities, in addition to further covers of jazz requirements like 1932’s “Moon Song (That Wasn’t Meant for Me)” (organized by Arthur Johnston and written by Sam Coslow) and 1951’s “Blues for Alice” (composed by Charlie Parker).
Different jazz musicians who appeared on the album have been pianists Richard Wyands and Hank Jones, double bassist Artwork Davis, drummer Charlie Persip, and bassist Wendell Marshall. We Free Kings is the newest of Kirk’s albums to affix the Acoustic Sounds Collection, following the 1967 album Now Please Don’t You Cry, Stunning Edith, again in January.
The collection, which first launched in 2020, options transfers from analog tapes and remastered 180-gram vinyl that’s packaged in high-quality tip-on gatefold jackets, replicating the unique packaging. The albums can be mastered and reduce to lacquer by Matthew Lutthans on the Mastering Lab at High quality File Pressings. All releases are supervised by Chad Kassem, CEO of Acoustic Sounds, the world’s largest supply for audiophile recordings, using the manufacturing craft of High quality File Pressings.
The collection contains dozens of iconic jazz albums from legends like Ben Webster, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Peggy Lee, Sonny Rollins, Mel Torme, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and extra.
Purchase Roland Kirk’s We Free Kings on vinyl now.
