This attractive but out-of-print double LP combines together the two
Max Roach albums
Deeds, Not Words and
Speak, Brother Speak, both of which have fortunately been reissued separately on CD. The former session from 1958 gives one some valuable features for trumpeter
Booker Little and, in addition to the tenor of
George Coleman and bassist
Art Davis, spotlights the tuba of
Ray Draper as a melody instrument. "Conversation" (a
Roach drum solo), "You Stepped out of a Dream" and "It's You or No One" are the highpoints. The latter date is quite a bit different for it showcases
Roach's 1962 quartet (with
Clifford Jordan on tenor, pianist
Mal Waldron and bassist
Eddie Khan) really stretching out on a pair of the drummer's compositions in versions that exceed 22 minutes apiece. These two underrated sessions reward repeated listenings.