Max Roach + 4
Max Roach
1956Studio
- Vinyl 2
- CD 4
- Cassette
Artist profile · 04/07/2026
Max Roach
Max Roach, born in 1924 in North Carolina, is a seminal American jazz drummer and composer who helped shape bebop and free jazz styles, with major activity from mid-20th century.
- 15
- Albums on Vinyles.com
- 181k
- Last.fm listeners
- 1M
- Last.fm plays
About
Max Roach, Pioneer of jazz drumming and free jazz innovation.
16 vinyls catalogued, including landmark albums from the 1960s with evolving valuations and pressings worldwide.
Max Roach's career spans key innovations in jazz drumming and composition, moving from early bebop collaborations to modal and free jazz explorations. His discography includes influential albums from the 1950s through the 1980s, highlighting works released on labels like Mercury, EmArcy, United Artists, and Impulse!.
Roach's contributions range from pioneering rhythmic approaches to thematic albums with social and political messages. His catalog features 16 vinyls on Vinyles.com, offering audiophiles multiple pressings including original mono and stereo editions with tracked market prices.
Discography
Max Roach discography
Studio albums, live records, compilations and radio recordings. Each album groups all its editions.
Jazz in ¾ Time
Max Roach
1957Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 4
- Cassette 1
Max Roach + 4 at Newport
Max Roach
1958Live
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Max Roach + 4 on the Chicago Scene
Max Roach
1958Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Quiet as It's Kept
Max Roach
1959Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 2
- Cassette
Award Winning Drummer
Max Roach
1960Studio
- Vinyl 2
- CD 3
- Cassette 1
Drums Unlimited
Max Roach
1966Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 3
- Cassette 1
Lift Every Voice and Sing
Max Roach
1971Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Live in Tokyo, Volume 1
Max Roach
1977Live
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Live in Tokyo, Volume 2
Max Roach
1977Live
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Confirmation
Max Roach
1978Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Solos
Max Roach
1978Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
M’Boom
Max Roach
1980Studio
- Vinyl 2
- CD 1
- Cassette 1
Chattahoochee Red
Max Roach
1981Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Survivors
Max Roach
1984Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Easy Winners
Max Roach
1985Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Bright Moments
Max Roach
1987Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
To the Max!
Max Roach
1991Studio
- Vinyl
- CD 1
- Cassette 1
The Max Roach 4 Plays Charlie Parker
Max Roach
1995Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 2
- Cassette
Max Roach With the New Orchestra of Boston and the So What Brass Quintet
Max Roach
1996Studio
- Vinyl
- CD 1
- Cassette
Love for Sale
Max Roach
1999Live
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Creating The Beat
Max Roach
2007Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Audio Blues
Max Roach
2011Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
The Complete Max Roach 1958 - 1962
Max Roach
2013Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Max Roach
Max Roach
Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
The Loadstar
Max Roach
Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
With the Boston Percussion Ensemble
Max Roach
Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Data provided by Discogs
Listen
Signature songs
- 01
Lonesome LoverIt's Time · 1962 - 02Equipoise
- 03January V
- 04Freedom Day
- 05Effi
- 06Libra
- 07Tears for Johannesburg
- 08All Africa
Essentials
3 Max Roach albums you need to own
Our picks, approved by the editors.
#1 · 1962Released on Impulse! in 1962, this album showcases Roach’s hard bop and modal jazz mastery over six tracks including "It's Time" and "Another Valley."
6 tracksMono pressingImpulse! labelRecorded 1962
#2 · 1962A landmark 1962 United Artists Jazz release, this album pairs Roach with Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus featuring seven tracks, blending hard bop with profound interplay.
7 tracksStereo pressingUnited Artists JazzRecorded 1962
#3 · 1971This 1971 Atlantic album includes politically charged compositions running six tracks, reflecting Roach’s social engagement through jazz.
6 tracksPromo pressingAtlantic labelReleased 1971
Go further
Artists similar to Max Roach
Artists who share part of Max Roach's musical DNA.
Eric Dolphy
Jackie McLean
Andrew Hill
Clifford Brown & Max Roach
Wayne Shorter
Elvin Jones
Art Blakey
Joe Henderson
B-side
B-side: the hidden stories of Max Roach
Studio secrets, tour stories and B-sides worth the whole album.
01Album
Recording of 'It's Time' in 1962
The album 'It's Time' was recorded and released in 1962 on the Impulse! label featuring six tracks that highlight Roach’s hard bop and modal style.
02Pressing
Original mono pressing of 'Lift Every Voice And Sing'
The original mono pressing of 'Lift Every Voice And Sing' (1971, Atlantic, SD 1587) remains sought after with a want/have ratio showing collector interest.
03Pressing
French original mono pressing of 'Money Jungle'
The original mono pressing of 'Money Jungle' on United Artists Records (France, 1962, catno 38016) is rare and currently has no copies for sale, indicating higher collector demand.
Max Roach transformed the role of drums in jazz, making it a solo and melodic instrument.— Jazz historians
05Album
1961 album 'Percussion Bitter Sweet'
Released by Impulse! in 1961, 'Percussion Bitter Sweet' blends post-bop and Afro-Cuban jazz influences across six tracks featuring compositions with rhythmic innovations.
Max Roach vinyl discography
See allWe Insist / Freedom Now Suite Édition Limitée Vinyle Jaune
Max Roach
Jazz/Blues
2025-07-0120TH CENTURY MASTERWORKSMoney Jungle + 4 Bonus Tracks + Bonus CD Money Jungle + 8 Bonus Tracks!
Max Roach
Free JazzJazz/Blues
2021-07-09Intermusic
Max Roach CDs
See all
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FAQ
FAQ
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
Who was Max Roach and why is he important to jazz?
Max Roach was an influential American jazz drummer and composer known for his pioneering work in bebop and free jazz percussion.
What are some key Max Roach albums available on vinyl?
'It's Time' (1962), 'Money Jungle' (1962), and 'Lift Every Voice And Sing' (1971) are essential Max Roach albums found on vinyl.
When was the album 'It's Time' originally released?
'It's Time' was originally released in 1962 on the Impulse! label, showcasing hard bop and modal jazz styles.
Where can I find original pressings of Max Roach's vinyl records?
Original pressings can be found from labels such as Impulse!, Atlantic, United Artists Jazz, and Mercury with varying availability worldwide.
Are Max Roach vinyl records available in France?
Yes, some releases like the French mono pressing of 'Money Jungle' exist but are rare and coveted by collectors in France.
What makes the 'Lift Every Voice And Sing' album unique?
The 1971 album reflects Max Roach's socially engaged compositions with powerful political themes expressed through jazz.
What price range can I expect for 'It's Time' LP on vinyl?
The 'It's Time' LP original mono pressing has prices ranging roughly between €52 and €116 depending on condition and seller offers.
Which Max Roach tracks are most streamed or played?
Tracks like 'Lonesome Lover', 'Equipoise', and 'Freedom Day' are among the most played and streamed pieces by Max Roach.
Transparency
Sources & method
This profile is compiled by the vinyles.com editors from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discography data from MusicBrainz (dates, country, active years).
- Tracklists, covers and genres from Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists from Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editors.
Last updated: 04/07/2026