Donald Byrd – Slow Drag Lp (Blue Note Tone Poet Series) – Blue Note Vinyl
More than a dozen albums into his Blue Note tenure, Donald Byrd’s 1967 date Slow Drag would be one of the last pure hard bop sessions that the reliably brilliant trumpeter would cut before his music began evolving towards fusion. Byrd flies high on this highly gratifying set that finds it’s groove across a variety of feels fueled by the tremendous drumming of Billy Higgins. The quintet is rounded out by alto saxophonist Sonny Red, pianist Cedar Walton, and bassist Walter Booker, each of whom contribute original compositions to the set list.
Donald Byrd – Byrd Blows On Beacon Hill (Blue Note Tone Poet Series) 180g Vinyl
Recorded in 1956 for producer Tom Wilson’s Boston-based label Transition Records, Byrd Blows On Beacon Hill presented trumpeter Donald Byrd in a relaxed and intimate quartet setting with Doug Watkins on bass along with Boston area musicians Ray Santisi on piano and Jim Zitano on drums.
This mono Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe tip-on jacket with a booklet.
Donald Byrd – Byrd’s Eye View – Blue Note Tone Poet Series 180g Vinyl
Recorded in 1955 for producer Tom Wilson’s short-lived Boston-based label Transition Records, Byrd’s Eye View was trumpeter Donald Byrd’s first issued recording as a leader. The date presented Byrd at the helm of what was then the current line-up of The Jazz Messengers with tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, pianist Horace Silver, bassist Doug Watkins, and drummer Art Blakey.
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Donald Byrd & Bobby Jaspar – Cannes ’58 – Sam Records 180g Vinyl
Donny Hathaway – Everything Is Everything – Analogue Productions Atlantic 75 Series 45 rpm 180g Vinyl
Donny Hathaway – Everything Is Everything – Analogue Productions Atlantic 75 Series 45 rpm 180g Vinyl
Donny Hathaway: Everything Is Everything 180g Vinyl
Many a musical career began in the gospel church choirs of the black communities, but that of Donny Hathaway must certainly be one of the most meteoric. Rolling Stone magazine named him the 49th greatest singer (of 100) of all time, though this might sound somewhat abstract.
But just the very first few bars of the opening number “Voices Inside” promises a programme in which the instrumental and human voices are on a par.
Donovan – The Hurdy Gurdy Man – Impex Records 180g Vinyl LP
Coming April 2025 pre-order your copy today!
Doug McLeod – Break The Chain – 180G Vinyl
Doug Watkins – Watkins At Large- Blue Note Tone Poet Series 180g Vinyl
Recorded in 1956 for producer Tom Wilson's short-lived Boston-based label Transition Records, Watkins At Largewas the first of only two albums that the great bassist Doug Watkins would make as a leader. The Detroit native had moved to New York and begun to garner recognition for his contributions to the Art Blakey-Horace Silver co-led iteration of the Jazz Messengers as well as Bud Powell's trio when Wilson decided to give him the opportunity to front his own recording date.
Along with a first-rate ensemble featuring trumpeter Donald Byrd, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Duke Jordan, and drummer Art Taylor, Watkins swings through a stellar set of blues, ballads, and more including originals written by Jordan, Burrell, and Thad Jones.
