Donald Byrd - At The Half Note. CD. These two live albums made at The Half Note Café in Manhattan (1960) were the crowning achievement of the Donald Byrd-Pepper Adams Quintet. Four lengthy selections have been added to the original albums on this 2-CD set.

Donald Byrd - Best Of. CD. (Blue Note - CDP7986382) Twelve track compilation that concentrates on Byrd's later Jazz Funk of the '70's. Heavily influential on the Acid-Jazz scene of the early '90's, this in reality is a blaxploitation album, featuring barely any improvisations and some top draw cheesy vocals. A good representative of his late period, not for the lover of pure jazz! Includes: "Stepping Into Tomorrow", "Onward 'Til Morning", "Lansana's Priestess" and "Places And Spaces."

Donald Byrd - Ethiopian Knights. CD. (Blue Note - 8543282) Easily his most funkiest of Jazz albums, this was first released in '71. Rhythm is the main drive of this three track album (in typical Jazz style this album still lasts for about forty minutes so expect damn long tracks.) In many ways a crossover album that began to push his loyal fans away, despite his probably noble effort to constantly push Jazz forwards like his idol Miles Davis. Track listing: "The Emperor","Jamie" and "The Little Rasti."

Donald Byrd - Mustang. CD. (Blue Note - 8599632) 1966 album featuring Byrd in his Hard Bop persona. Mixing between boogaloo and breakneck paced numbers, this is his Bop prime. A fine example of the genre in the early '60's, this CD includes two excellent tracks from the sessions that were unreleased until 1997. Includes: a version of Duke Ellington's "I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good", "I'm So Excited By You" and "Fly Little Bird Fly."

Donald Byrd - Caricatures. CD. (Blue Note - 5807322) 1976 crossover release from the popular Byrd. Now having firmly left his hard bop behind him, he is really enjoying himself here. As ever the standard of musicianship on this eight track album is nose bleedingly high. Includes: "Science Funktion", "Onward 'Til Morning" and "Wild Life." This uplfting fusion album features Gary Bartz, Alphonse Mouzon, David T Walker, Byrd and Patrice Rushen trading off each other to fine effect.

Donald Byrd - Transition Sessions. Dble CD. (Blue Note - 5405282) Seventen track compilation of sessions from Byrd's Hard Bop period of the early '50s. Features three separate sessions, the first from when Byrd had just joined Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, his first recordings from '53 and some informal recordings made at engineer Stephen Fassett's Beacon Hill home. This collection brings together many wonderful musicians of the period and shows off the wide range of material Byrd was involved in during his early career: Ballads, Swing Standards, Hard Bop, improvised blues and film soundtracks. Featuring performances from Art Blakey, Hank Mobley, Art Taylor and Doug Watkins. A great anthology.

Donald Byrd - A New Perspective. CD. (Blue Note - 4990062) Saxophonist Hank Mobley, guitarist Kenny Burrell, and pianist Herbie Hancock join Donald Byrd, with a fantastic eight strong choir. You may have guessed from the name of the album, that the music has moved in a new direction, and it indeed has, this 1963 album is far funkier then previous releases. Tracks include: "Chant", "Black Disciple" and "Beast Of Burden".

Donald Byrd - Blackbird. CD. (Blue Note - 8212862) One of the last hard Bop albums Donald made before moving into a more funk jazz crossover style. Released in '67 Byrd is joined by Sonny Red, Hank Mobley, Cedar Walton, Walter Booker and Billy Higgins. You can sense his longing to progress forward without really being sure about what direction to go into. His crossover period of a few years later would be highly controversial to his loyal fans so he was right to be wary. Certainly for fans of his Bop period.

Donald Byrd - Byrd In Hand (Rudy Van G). CD. Fantastic Freestyle hard-bop album recorded in 1959, Donald Byrd is joined by a legendary group consisting of; tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, baritonist Pepper Adams, pianist Walter Davis, Jr., bassist Sam Jones and drummer Art Taylor. This early album includes the tracks; "Clarion Calls ", "Witchcraft" and "Here I Am".

Donald Byrd - Essential. CD. (Blue Note - 5822042) Compilation with Larry and Fonce Mizell, of Black Byrd, Street Lady, Stepping Into Tomorrow, and Places and Spaces. All albums are recorded in the 70's, so don’t expect any experimental flair that made the 50's and 60's recordings so loved, but more of his crossover funk jazz. Tracks on this album include: "You And The Music", "Black Byrd", Street Lady", and "Change (Makes You Wanna Hustle).

Donald Byrd - Free Form. CD. (Blue Note - 5959612) Definitely during his Hard Bop period. Recorded in 1961 and featuring Herbie Hancick on piano and Wayne Shorter on saxophone, this is a free flowing highly daring Jazz album. Featuring Hancock compositions as well as some of Byrds most adventurous pieces of the period. Includes: "Night Flower", "Night Flower" and "Three Wishes."

Donald Byrd - Fuego. CD. (Blue Note - 5638032) Six classic songs from the talents of altoist Jackie McLean, pianist Duke Pearson, bassist Doug Watkins, and drummer Lex Humphries and Donald Byrd on the trumpet. Remastered hard-Bop at its greatest. Tracks include: "Amen", "Low Life" and "Funky Mama".

Donald Byrd - Places And Spaces. CD. (Blue Note - CDP8543262) 1975 funk crossover album from the talented jazz trumpet player. The string arrangements, rhythm guitars and Philly influences make this a much more Soul/Funk album with few jazzy touches. As with a number of his album from the period, the music is rhythm based and spaced out rather than bop orientated. Includes : "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)", "Places And Spaces" and "Change (Makes You Want To Hustle.)"

Donald Byrd - Slow Drag. CD. (Blue Note - 5355602) Cedar Walton, bassist Walter Booker and drummer Billy Higgins, join Donald Byrd with one of his finest hard-bop recordings. Tracks include: " Slow Drag", "Secret LoveBook's", "Bossa Jelly Roll" and "LonerMy Ideal".

Donald Byrd - Stepping Into Tomorrow. CD. (Blue Note - 5235452) Another one of Donald's jazz funk crossover albums of the '70's. having been relatively relaxed in his playing on earlier '70's albums, this time the funky backing gives him an opportuinty to unleash complex licks from his trumpet. Gary Bartz on alto sax presents himself as a fine dueling compardre and his abilities aren't wasted. This success of this seven track album hinges on whether you can stomach or adore whistled solos, James Carter brings his "unique" style to the mix to stunning / horrific effect. Includes: "You Are The World", "Think Twice" and "Design A Nation."

Donald Byrd - Street Lady. CD. (Blue Note - CDP8539232) Another Classic Byrd outing of hard-bop mainstream soul and R&B. and Funk. Donald Byrd is joined by fantastic arrangement of wah guitars and electronic pianos, that put other recordings in the early 10's in this genre to shame. Tracks on this album include: "Lansana's Priestess", "Miss Kane", "Sister Love", "Street Lady", "Witch Hunt" and "Woman Of The World". Highly recommended.

Donald Byrd - Off To The Races. CD. (Blue Note - 362 6582) 1. Lover Come Back to Me 2. When Your Lover Has Gone 3. Sudwest Funk 4. Paul's Pal 5. Off To The Races 6. Down Tempo

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