Donald Byrd - Slow Drag (Blue Note Tone Poet Series) - VINYL LP

Vinyl LP pressing. Recorded in 1956 for producer Tom Wilson's short-lived Boston-based tag Transition Records, Byrd Blows On Beacon Hill presented trumpeter Donald Byrd in a relaxed and intimate quartet setting with his frequent collaborator Doug Watkins on bass along with Boston area musicians Ray Santisi on piano and Jim Zitano on drums. The standards heavy set was captured on a rainy Spring afternoon in the Beacon Hill home of engineer Steve Fassett which provided a casual atmosphere that gave the album both it's title and it's easy-going charm. Byrd is at his lyrical best on Joe Sullivan's tune InchLittle Rock GetawayInch as well versions of InchPolka Dots and Moonbeams,Inch InchIf I Love Again,Inch and InchStella by Starlight.Inch The trumpeter lays out to let the trio shine on InchPeople Will Say We're in LoveInch and InchWhat's New.Inch

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing in gatefold jacket. In November 1960, trumpeter Donald Byrd brought his quintet into the Half Not Cafe in New York City to record this soulful, swinging and highly enjoyable live set of hard cop featuring Pepper Adams (baritone saxophone), Duke Pearson (piano), Laymon Jackson (bass) and Lex Humphries (drums). Blue Note Tone Poet Series features all-analog, remastering.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing housed in a deluxe tip-on jacket. Drawn from two sessions in 1969 and 1970, Kofi found Donald Byrd in the early stages of his transformation from top-notch hard bop trumpeter to fusion pioneer. Byrd explores a variety of textures with bandmates including Frank Foster, Lew Tabackin, Duke Pearson, Ron Carter, Mickey Roker and Airto Moreira. Blue Note Tone Poet Series stereo edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes. Album Tracks 1. Kofi 2. Fufu 3. Perpetual Lover 4. Elmina