DONALD BYRD 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Jazz trumpet legend Donald Byrd has one of those seemingly endless discography that takes in solo and group albums and is full of treasure that is well worth exploring no matter your particularly stylistic penchant. 1963's A New Perspective is a landmark album that brings gospel and soul elements into his usual jazz sound. It features a stellar lineup including Herbie Hancock and Hank Mobley and the centerpiece is the iconic 'Cristo Redentor,' a soulful composition that showcases Byrd's lyrical trumpet playing. With its fusion of genres, the album broke new ground and paved the way for future jazz explorations that Pitchfork have said is one of the best albums of the 1960s. Byrd's innovative approach and the ensemble's tight chemistry make that so.

Review: Donald Byrd's 1967 Slow Drag album came after the jazz legend had already recorded more than dozen albums for the seminal Blue Note label. He was joined for it by the drumming of Billy Higgins, alto saxophonist Sonny Red, pianist Cedar Walton, and bassist Walter Booker who all bring their own original compositions to the album. It's a pure hard bop session that marked the end of this chapter of Byrd's sound before he moved into fusion territory. Plenty of edgy groove-fess, ad-libbed vocals and boss flavours feature on what is one of many Byrd essentials.