Performer Notes

Personnel: Max Roach (drums); Abbey Lincoln (vocals); Eric Dolphy (alto saxophone, bass clarinet, flute); Clifford Jordan (tenor saxophone); Booker Little (trumpet); Julian Priester (trombone); Mal Waldron (piano); Art Davis (bass); Carlos Valdez (congas); Carlos Eugenio (cowbell).
Producer: Max Roach.
Reissue producer: Michael Cuscuna.
Recorded in New York, New York in August 1961. Includes liner notes by Margo Guryan.
Digitally remastered by Paul Elmore.
Personnel: Max Roach (drums); Abbey Lincoln (vocals); Eric Dolphy (flute, bass clarinet, alto saxophone); Clifford Jordan (tenor saxophone); Booker Little (trumpet); Julian Priester (trombone); Mal Waldron (piano); Carlos "Patato" Valdes (congas); Carlos Eugenio (cowbells, percussion).
Audio Remasterer: Paul Elmore.
Liner Note Author: Margo Guryan.
Recording information: New York, NY (08/1961).
Photographers: Bob Gomel; Chuck Stewart.
PERCUSSION BITTER SWEET is one of drummer/composer Max Roach's great musical-cultural statements, featuring wife Abbey Lincoln's powerful vocals on the tumultuous "Garvey's Ghost" (with its powerful Afro-Cuban percussive airs), and the prickly, straight shooting protest of "Mendacity." Roach's musical dream team band features several innovative players, such as the legendary reedman Eric Dolphy and the extraordinary young trumpeter Booker Little, both of whom died untimely deaths in the early '60s. Roach and bassist Art Davis redefine the jazz beat in their own image, a truly unique rhythm section, and their 7-beat swing on "Man From South Africa" inspires some of the best playing on the session--as vivid and modern sounding today as it was 30 years ago.

Professional Reviews

Down Beat (5/93, p.45) - 5 Stars - Excellent - "...compositionally, Roach was surveying a new plateau....PERCUSSION BITTER SWEET is also an excellent soloist's forum, where topnotch work from Clifford Jordan, Julian Priester, and Mal Waldron is the base line..."

JazzTimes (5/93, p.62) - "...Max Roach was truly flexing his considerable muscles both as seminal percussionist and potent musical political commentator....one of the strongest, most well-rounded ensembles he has ever recorded..."

Musician (5/93, p.92) - "...every Max flam is a blow against cultural subservience, each Dolphy squeal a taunt at repressive power structures....one of Roach's masterworks..."

Album: Percussion Bitter Sweet
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Garvey's Ghost
2)	Mama
3)	Tender Warriors
4)	Praise for a Martyr
5)	Mendacity
6)	Man from South Africa

Album: Percussion Bitter Sweet
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Garvey's Ghost
2)	Mama
3)	Tender Warriors
4)	Praise for a Martyr
5)	Mendacity
6)	Man from South Africa