Other than a trio set with the legendary pianist Hasaan Ibn Ali, this set was
Max Roach's only recording as a leader during 1963-67. Three of the six numbers ("Nommo," "St. Louis Blues" and "In the Red") find
Roach heading a group that includes trumpeter
Freddie Hubbard, altoist
James Spaulding, pianist
Ronnie Mathews, bassist
Jymie Merritt and, on "St. Louis Blues,"
Roland Alexander on soprano. Their music is essentially advanced hard-bop with a generous amount of space taken up by
Roach's drum solos. The other three selections ("The Drum Also Waltzes," "Drums Unlimited" and "For Big Sid") are unaccompanied features for
Max Roach and because of the melodic and logically-planned nature of his improvisations, they continually hold on to one's attention. ~ Scott Yanow