DONALD BYRD

DONALD BYRD
SLOW DRAG (1967)
REMASTER
320 KBPS

Making its belated first appearance on CD, this 1967 session finds trumpeter Donald Byrd picking up some of the pieces of his estimable hard-bop career before he veered off into fusion and atmospherics. His third effort in partnership with acrid-toned alto saxophonist Sonny Red (a.k.a. Sylvester Kyner) settles into a soulfully relaxed groove on the opening title cut (which drummer Billy Higgins, in a rare moment of verbosity, peppers with funky spoken declarations) and sustains an attractively even-tempered sound. The album includes graceful renditions of the standards "Secret Love" and "My Ideal" and two well-turned originals by pianist Cedar Walton, who is featured in the rhythm section with bassist Walter Booker. Nothing earthshaking here, but an enjoyable outing nonetheless.

1. Slow Drag
2. Secret Love
3. Book's Bossa
4. Jelly Roll
5. The Loner
6. My Ideal