One of the seminal works of jazz as protest, We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite, was first released in 1961 by Max Roach in collaboration with Abbey Lincoln and lyricist Oscar Brown, Jr. on Candid Records. Invoking both the historic pains and hopeful potentiality of the Black experience, Roach created a striking avant-garde vocal-instrumental suite commemorating the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation and acted as an urgent call for freedom during the civil rights era, which remains poignant as ever today. In honor of Roach's centennial, GRAMMY-Award Winning drummer-producer Terri Lyne Carrington and GRAMMY-nominated vocalist Christie Dashiell have reconceptualized We Insist, paying homage to Roach and Lincoln's legacy by sonically broadening the suite, while being steadfast with the still poignant social justice message - We Insist! Continuing her work honoring jazz traditions, Carrington (the albums producer), acknowledges Roach’s legacy and its continued relevance to today's fight for freedom in order to bring forth a new story of jazz's future. Joining the lineup are many emerging artists that Carrington introduced to Candid Records: Morgan Guerin, Milena Casado, Simon Moullier, Matthew Stevens, Devon Gates, guest percussionist Weedie Braimah, and rising star vocalist Christie Dashiell, filling in the role of Abbey Lincoln. The album has a special cameo appearance by trombonist Julian Priester, the only living musician from the original recording. Together, they impart the story of the "Freedom Now Suite" respecting its jazz tradition, while allowing the influence of other music traditions from the African Diaspora including gospel, soul, funk, Afro-Latin, West African, and blues, with the resounding spirit and urgency that rings true on the original album.
