ROLAND KIRK We Free Kings (Verve Acoustic Sounds Series 2025 limited edition 9-track stereo LP, mastered by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab from original analogue tapes and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings. We Free Kings is considered one of Roland Kirk's musically significant early works. The array of horns that Kirk draped over his neck was for far more than show. He could play multiple saxophones and even nose flutes simultaneously. The repertoire here underlines Kirk's abilities as a composer (seven of the nine pieces are by him). But his interpretation of Charlie Parker's "Blues For Alice" is brilliant. "A Sack Full of Soul" is a kicker, with the bridge jump-started by Kirk's tenor, manzello, and stritch. Pianist Richard Wyands does a splendid job backing Kirk, keeping things on track whether in the bluesiest of modes as on "You Did It" or in a dancingly melodic groove as on the title track. Gatefold tip-on jacket picture sleeve, hype sticker and factory sealed inside its perforated loose bag. Recommended)