Artist: Donald Byrd
Album: Blackjack
Genre: Jazz
Release Date: 1967/2015
Audio Format:: FLAC (tracks) 24 bit, 192 kHz
Duration: 35:53
Total Tracks: 6
Total Size: 1,37 GB

Tracklist:

01. Donald Byrd – Blackjack (06:17)
02. Donald Byrd – West Of The Pecos (05:19)
03. Donald Byrd – Loki (05:52)
04. Donald Byrd – Eldorado (07:59)
05. Donald Byrd – Beale Street (05:25)
06. Donald Byrd – Pentatonic (04:59)

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One of three Donald Byrd albums from 1967 (the end of his hard bop period), this recording features the trumpeter/leader with altoist Sonny Red, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Walter Booker, and drummer Billy Higgins. The six tunes (five of which are originals by Byrd or Red) are all quite obscure and to one extent or another quite explorative. One can sense that Byrd wanted to break through the boundaries and rules of hard bop but had not yet decided on his future directions. The music does swing and highlights include “West of the Pecos” and “Beale Street”; Byrd and Red in particular are in excellent form throughout the date. –Scott Yanow