In July 1961, “Candid” label released “Straight Ahead”, the fifth Abbey Lincoln album. It was recorded in February 1961, at “Nola Penthouse Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Nat Hentoff.

Personnel:

• Abbey Lincoln — vocals
• Julian Priester — trombone
• Eric Dolphy — alto saxophone, bass clarinet, flute, piccolo
• Walter Benton — tenor saxophone
• Coleman Hawkins — tenor saxophone
• Booker Little — trumpet
• Mal Waldron — piano
• Art Davis — bass
• Max Roach — drums
• Roger Sanders, Robert Whitley — congas

Track listing:

1. Straight Ahead – Abbey Lincoln, Earl Baker, Mal Waldron
2. When Malindy Sings – Oscar Brown, Paul Lawrence Dunbar
3. In the Red – Chips Bayen, Abbey Lincoln, Max Roach
4. Blue Monk – Abbey Lincoln, Thelonious Monk
5. Left Alone – Billie Holiday, Mal Waldron
6. African Lady – Langston Hughes, Randy Weston
7. Retribution – Abbey Lincoln, Julian Priester