A recent reissue (reviewed on p50) of Max Roach's 1968 masterpiece Members, Don’t Git Wearyprovided a welcome opportunity to hear the heavenly voice of Andy Bey, who sang the title track so beautifully. This solo debut by Bey, released six years after, has long been a much sought-after collector's item and for very good reason.

It remains the record that emphatically supports any claim for him to be ranked alongside the likes of Jon Hendricks, Johnny Hartman and Al Jarreau, even though he had a much lower profile. Although his performance is compelling, with his carefully controlled vibrato and long held notes possessing a kind of dignity as well as power, Bey really comes into his own as a writer. Songs such as ‘Tune Up’, ‘Hibiscus’ and above all ‘Celestial Blues’, a stellar anthem he also recorded with Gary Bartz, confirm that he has an absolute gift for fraught, floating melodies that were potently served by simmering pysched-out funk supplied by a crack band anchored by bassist Wilbur Bascomb, drummer Buddy Williams and keys player Bill Fischer. Bey implores us to “be free of all the things we don’t need”, but this album should be required listening.