Abbey Lincoln - Straight Ahead (Pure Pleasure)
Abbey Lincoln - Vocals
Mal Waldron - Piano [click here to see more vinyl featuring Mal Waldron]
Colman Hawkins - Tenor Saxophone [click here to see more vinyl featuring Coleman Hawkins]
Eric Dolphy - Alto Sax, Flute, Reeds [click here to see more vinyl featuring Eric Dolphy]
Booker Little - Trumpet [click here to see more vinyl featuring Booker Little]
Max Roach - Drums [click here to see more vinyl featuring Max Roach]
Art Davis - Bass
Walter Benton - Saxophone
Roger Saunders - Congas (B3)
Robert Whitley - Congas (B3)
Julian Priester - Trombone
Arranged by Booker Little (A2-3, B1), Julian Priester (B2, B4), Mal Waldron (A1), Max Roach (B3)
Written by Abbey Lincoln (A1, A3, B1, B4) , Earl Baker (A1), Mal Waldron (A1, B2), Oscar Brown (A2), Paul Lawrence Dunbar (A2), Chips Bayen (A3), Max Roach (A3), Thelonious Monk (B1), Billie Holiday (B2), Langston Hughes (B3), Randy Weston (B3), Julian Priester (B4)
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Pallas
Label : Pure Pleasure Records
Original Label : Candid
Tracks :
2. When Malinda Sings
3. In the Red
2. Left Alone
3. African Lady
4. Retribution
Reviews :
« Reissued several times since it originally came out on a Candid LP, this is one of Abbey Lincoln's greatest recordings. It is a testament to the credibility of her very honest music (and her talents) that Lincoln's sidemen on this date include the immortal tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins (who takes a memorable solo on "Blue Monk"), Eric Dolphy on flute and alto, trumpeter Booker Little (whose melancholy tone is very important in the ensembles), pianist Mal Waldron, and drummer Max Roach. Highpoints include "When Malindy Sings," "Blue Monk," Billie Holiday's "Left Alone," and "African Lady." » AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow
This is one Abbey Licoln's greatest recordings. It is a testament to the credibility of her very honest music (and her talents)that Lincoln's sideman on this date is the immortal tenor saxophonist Colman Hawkins who takes a memorable solo on "Blue Monk", Eric Dolphy on flute and alto, trumpeter Booker Little (whose melancholy tone is very important in the emsembles), pianist Mal Waldron and drummer Max Roach. Highpoints include "When Malindy Sings", "Blue Monk", Billie Holiday's "Left Alone" and "African Lady".
Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach were married in 1962, an association that lasted until 1970. They worked together for a while but Lincoln (who found it harder ti work in Jazz due to the political nature of the some of her music) became involved in acting and did not record as a leader during 1962-72. She finally recorded for Inner City in 1973 and gradually became more active in Jazz. Her two Billie Holiday tribute albums for Enja (1987) showed listeners that the singer was still in her prime and she has recorded several excellent sets for Verve in the 1990's.As she puts so much thought into each of her recordings, it is not an understatment to say that every Abbey Licoln set is well worth owning.