We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suit (album)

We Insist! (subtitled Max Roach's Freedom Now Suite) is a jazz album released on Candid Records in 1960. It contains a suite which composer and drummer Max Roach and lyricist Oscar Brown had begun to develop in 1959, with a view to its performance in 1963 on the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation. The cover references the sit-in movement of the Civil Rights Movement. The Penguin Guide to Jazz awarded the album one of its rare crown accolades, in addition to featuring it as part of its Core Collection.

The music consists of five selections concerning the Emancipation Proclamation and the growing African independence movements of the 1950s. Only Roach and vocalist Abbey Lincoln perform on all five tracks, and one track features a guest appearance by saxophonist Coleman Hawkins.

Side one

 * 1) "Driva Man" (Roach, Oscar Brown) – 5:17
 * 2) "Freedom Day" (Roach, Brown) – 6:08
 * 3) "Triptych: Prayer/Protest/Peace" (Roach) – 8:09

Side two

 * 1) "All Africa" (Roach, Brown) – 8:01
 * 2) "Tears for Johannesburg" (Roach) – 9:42

Musicians

 * Max Roach – drums
 * Abbey Lincoln – vocals
 * Booker Little – trumpet on "Driva Man", "Freedom Day", "All Africa", and "Tears for Johannesburg"
 * Julian Priester – trombone on "Driva Man", "Freedom Day", and "Tears for Johannesburg"
 * Walter Benton – tenor saxophone on "Driva Man", "Freedom Day", and "Tears for Johannesburg"
 * Coleman Hawkins – tenor saxophone on "Driva Man"
 * James Schenk – bass on "Driva Man", "Freedom Day", and "Tears for Johannesburg"
 * Michael Olatunji – congas, vocals on side two
 * Raymond Mantilla – percussion on side two
 * Tomas du Vall – percussion on side two