Freedom - No Compromise is Little Steven's third solo album. Released in 1987, the record leaned heavily to dance-rock, verging towards world music in places. Bruce Springsteen and Ruben Blades join Van Zandt on lead vocals with "Native American" and "Bitter Fruit," respectively. At the time, politics were at the forefront, centering on U.S. transgressions in Central America, South Africa, and against Native Americans.