The Oliver Nelson album is a very interesting one. Although Nelson would eventually be known as one of the great arrangers in jazz, at that time he was just an up-and-coming saxophonist. He was approached by the producer Esmond Edwards (himself an interesting figure in the record business) and asked to write and orchestrate a suite summarizing the experience of Africans in America through music. Nelson was initially leery of biting off such a big chunk, especially since he didn't feel he had any expertise in African music. After a while though, he came around to Edwards's urging, and agreed to do it only if he were allowed enough time first to study African music. This he did, immersing himself in study for months. Later when he looked back on his career, Nelson viewed it as one of the best things he had ever done.
It is not done in a simple historical sense--no field hollers to Dixieland to Chicago simplistic storytelling. Rather it is a jazz impressionistic look at his people's history in the New World. There are one or two small sections where he seems to be quoting from historical styles, just to make a point, but in the main it is fully assimilated post-bop. It ranges from very rhythmic (especially in the several sections where Ray Barretto [on congas] and drummer Ed Shaughnessy [he's black Irish] work out off each other) to extremely lyrical and poignant.
All our albums are made to give enjoyment when you listen all the way through, but in this case it's even more fitting, as the suite was conceived and composed as a complete work.