{"product_id":"max-roach-percussion-bitter-sweet-verve-vault-series","title":"MAX ROACH - Percussion Bitter Sweet (Verve Vault Series)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff0000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLP - The Verve Vault series is always mastered from analog tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePercussion Bitter Sweet\u003c\/em\u003e, released in 1961 on \u003cstrong\u003eImpulse! Records\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of preeminent jazz drummer \u003cstrong\u003eMax Roach\u003c\/strong\u003e’s most politically charged and musically expansive recordings. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRecorded over a number of days in August in 1961, the album reflects Roach’s deepening engagement with themes of social justice and Pan-African identity. The ensemble features \u003cstrong\u003eBooker Little\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eJulian Priester\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eEric Dolphy\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eMal Waldron\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eAbbey Lincoln\u003c\/strong\u003e, and more, alongside Roach’s own commanding blend of cymbal textures, mallets, and explosive rhythmic detail. The inclusion of vocalist Lincoln — Roach’s artistic and political partner at the time — adds urgency and emotional power to the project’s most pointed statements.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile not formally structured as a suite, the album’s six tracks move fluidly between spiritual lament, militant swing, and improvisational abstraction. The opening piece, “\u003cem\u003eGarvey’s Ghost\u003c\/em\u003e,” sets the tone with Afro-Caribbean rhythmic undercurrents, while “\u003cem\u003eMendacity\u003c\/em\u003e” takes aim at hypocrisy with biting horn lines and Lincoln’s dramatic delivery. Elsewhere, “\u003cem\u003eMama\u003c\/em\u003e” and “\u003cem\u003ePraise for a Martyr\u003c\/em\u003e” explore personal and collective grief through dynamic interplay and modal intensity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eVerve Vault\u003c\/strong\u003e series is always mastered from analog tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl at \u003cstrong\u003eOptimal\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Verve","offers":[{"title":"LP - Deluxe 180g Vinyl","offer_id":56459674878297,"sku":"SDZ-23142","price":30.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0588\/3455\/0945\/files\/Max_Roach_-_Percussion_Bitter_Sweet__Verve_Vault_Series_Edition__-_2025_Reissue.jpg?v=1761237264","url":"https:\/\/spindizzyrecords.com\/products\/max-roach-percussion-bitter-sweet-verve-vault-series","provider":"Spindizzy Dublin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}