Absolutely Free

Absolutely Free is the second album by the American rock band the Mothers of Invention, released on May 26, 1967, by Verve Records. Much like their 1966 debut Freak Out!, the album blends complex musical composition with political and social satire. The album presents two oratorios (with librettos available by mail), blending rock music with jazz, classical, and avant-garde idioms, and is seen as an important and influential precursor to progressive rock and rock operas. The band had been augmented since Freak Out! by the addition of woodwinds player Bunk Gardner, keyboardistDon Preston, rhythm guitaristJim Fielder, and drummerBilly Mundi; Fielder quit the group before the album was released, and his name was removed from the album credits.