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Originally released in 1972 on the iconic Muse label, The Free Slave captures Roy Brooks at the peak of his powers — a drummer of deep conviction and fire, blending soul-rooted swing with the outer reaches of post-bop and avant-garde expression. This landmark live session brims with energy, featuring extended improvisations and tight interplay between some of the most vital players in modern jazz; Woody Shaw (trumpet), George Coleman (tenor sax), Hugh Lawson (piano), and Cecil McBee (bass).

"Jazz Detective" Zev Feldman has launched his next endeavor, the archival label Time Traveler Recordings, with the Muse Master Edition Series, a run of masterpiece reissues from the historic Muse Records catalog.  vWith lacquers cut directly from the analog master tapes by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab in Salina, KS, plating and pressing at Optimal in Germany and deluxe Stoughton laminated "Tip on" jackets, the new Muse Master Edition Series is as deluxe as reissues can be.  — (via Label // Michael Fremer, Tracking Angle)

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Originally released on the Muse label, this album is of vital importance not only because it is one of Brooks' few dates as leader, but also because it introduced much of the jazz world to trumpeter Woody Shaw, tenor saxophonist George Coleman, pianist Hugh Lawson, and bassist Cecil McBee. Recorded at the Left Bank Jazz Society in Baltimore, MD, Brooks and company reflect the music of the day, from straight post-bop and soul-jazz to ultra-modern sounds and unique percussion musings. 

There are four lengthy selections - three written by Brooks, one by McBee. The set starts with the title track, which features soaring horn lines and a steady feel-good boogaloo fueled by ostinato piano and bass. Coleman's smooth tenor and Shaw's pungent trumpet contrast each other to good effect on this number. "Understanding" features a head where lead trumpet meets harmonious tenor. Shaw's trumpet solo intensifies Brooks' lovelight beat, and the piece ends in ticktock mode with counterpointed horns and delirious gong ringing. "Will Pan's Walk" has the seeds of a classic, with McBee's heavy ostinato contrasting Lawson's delicate shadings. On the finale, "Five for Max," Brooks cops many of Max Roach's signature trappings and adds a few of his own, including using a breath-a-tone device that allows him to heighten or lower the pitch of his drums by exhaling or inhaling through a pair of plastic tubes. Brooks can drive 'em completely wild - and does on this exciting piece of modal modern jazz. Of course, Coleman, Shaw, Lawson, and McBee are nothing less than world-class. This is a band for the ages. — (via AllMusic)

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It is fascinating to see how the jazz vocabulary of one era evolved in a subsequent one. This fine 1972 performance at the Left Bank Jazz Society in Baltimore by Roy Brooks’ quintet is prime 1960s soul jazz that has moments of hard swing but there is also an altogether heavier, hard-hitting character due to an injection of funk, as if the leader had an ear turned as much towards James Brown as Horace Silver, a notable former employer of Brooks.

In any case, the drummer presents a stellar quintet featuring peerless trumpeter Woody Shaw next to saxophonist George Coleman in the frontline and on just four lengthy tracks they solo compellingly, as do pianist Hugh Lawson and bassist Cecil McBee. But Brooks really drives the band with tremendous energy and attention to detail, seemingly buoyed by audience encouragement to ‘Do your thang?’ The climax of the gig is ‘Five For Max’, which is in honour of a certain Mr Roach, and it has quite pulsating improvisations by Brooks on a swish 5/4 beat.

This excellent reissue was remastered and cut entirely in the analogue domain, and sourced directly from the original analog tapes by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab. Pressed at Optimal Media and housed in a Stoughton ‘tip on’ sleeve, it also includes an insert with newly-written liner notes by Shannon J Effinger and Barney Fields with rare photograph by Raymond Ross. — (via Jazzwise)

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Label: Time Traveler Recordings / Muse Records
Series: Muse Master Edition Series
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, 180 Gram
Reissued: 2025 / Original Release: 1972
Genre: Jazz
Style: Post Bop, Soul-Jazz

File under: Audiophile Jazz
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