Volunteered Slavery
Rahsaan Roland Kirk · 1969
42 min · 10 tracks · jazz
An adventurous blend of jazz improvisation and soulful melodies, punctuated by Kirk's multi-instrumental prowess and vibrant energy.
Top tracks — play these first
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Volunteered Slavery — The title track encapsulates Kirk's innovative spirit, featuring complex rhythms and a powerful declaration of personal freedom that reflects the album's overarching themes.
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I Say a Little Prayer — Kirk's rendition transforms this well-known pop song into a heartfelt jazz exploration, showcasing his ability to reinterpret mainstream music through a jazz lens.
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A Tribute to John Coltrane: a. Lush Life, b. Afro-Blue, c. Bessie’s Blues — This medley not only honors Coltrane but also highlights Kirk's virtuosic skills on multiple instruments while weaving together different musical styles seamlessly.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalKirk's innovative multi-instrumental approach and genre fusion create a distinctive and adventurous jazz experience.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, such as 'Roland’s Opening Remarks' and 'Ovation & Roland’s Remarks', which break the flow of traditional jazz.
- The final track is a medley that combines three distinct pieces, demonstrating Kirk's ability to blend different musical ideas into a cohesive performance.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- playful improvisation and spontaneity
- invigorating rhythms for celebration
- reflective moments with soulful depth
- engaging storytelling through instrumentals
- short tracks for varied exploration
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer predictable song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1969, Volunteered Slavery was Rahsaan Roland Kirk's sixth studio album and marked a significant moment in his career as he was gaining recognition for his innovative approach to jazz. This album followed the experimental work of his previous releases, showcasing his distinct style that merged hard bop with elements of soul and R&B, solidifying his position as a unique voice in the jazz scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Charles Mingus· Sun Ra· Ornette Coleman
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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I Say a Little Prayer
The arrangement shifts from smooth melodic lines to frenetic improvisation, creating emotional tension that mirrors the lyrics' plea for connection.
This dynamic contrast emphasizes the urgency of the narrator's emotions while showcasing Kirk's talent for blending structured composition with spontaneous expression.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Volunteered Slavery 5:44
- 2 Spirits Up Above 3:38
- 3 My Cherie Amour 3:21
- 4 Search for the Reason Why 2:08
- 5 I Say a Little Prayer 7:59
- 6 Roland’s Opening Remarks 0:39
- 7 One Ton 5:00
- 8 Ovation & Roland’s Remarks 1:40
- 9 A Tribute to John Coletrane: a. Lush Life, b. Afro-Blue, c. Bessie’s Blues 8:12
- 10 Three for the Festival 4:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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