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

Label: Verve

Reissued 6/13/2025, Originally released 1962

Known as a then-young Kirk's more consistent works, 1962's We Free Kings is a solid balance of bop with complimenting soul, backed by two different rhythm sections - one including Hank Jones (piano) & Wendell Marshall (bass) and the other with Richard Wyands (piano) & Art Davis (bass) while Charlie Persip (drums) maintains throughout. The repertoire is primarily a showcase of Kirk's skill as a composer, though his take on Bird's "Blues for Alice" is not to be missed.

Track listing:

1. Three for the Festival
2. Moon Song
3. A Sack Full of Soul
4. The Haunted Melody
5. Blues for Alice
   
6. We Free Kings
7. You Did It, You Did It
8. Some Kind of Love
9. My Delight