Drummer/composer Max Roach in conjunction with lyricist Oscar Brown Jr. created this suite in honour of the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and it reflected Mr. Roach's growing involvement with the Civil Right Movement that was taking shape in America in the late 1950's. This powerful and still controversial recording features Roach's working band that includes Booker Little on trumpet, Julian Priester on trombone and the underrated Walter Benton on tenor saxophone, James Schenk on bass and the great Abbey Lincoln on vocals. Coleman Hawkins('the father of the tenor saxophone') makes an intense cameo on the first tune called 'Driva' Man'.Later the band is augmented by two percussionists and African drummer Michael Olatunji on the pieces depicting Africa. This recording is a powerful musical and political statement and is perfectly suited to honouring Black History Month.

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