DONALD BYRD - FUEGO (LIMITED EDITION 180g JAPANESE IMPORT LP)

Donald Byrd Fuego On Limited Edition 180g Japanese Import LP! 

The vast majority of the trumpet kings of jazz never strayed from their original instrument and with good reason and results. But as history tells us, experimentation is inevitable. A few found their voice with the mellower flugelhorn (such as Art Farmer, Clark Terry, Thad Jones) or the smaller cornet (including Bix Beiderbecke, King Oliver, Rex Stewart). On too rare of occasion, the ‘pocket trumpet’, measuring only nine inches in length, was taken up by the likes of Don Cherry, Ted Curson and for this 1959 Donald Byrd release entitled Fuego. Personally writing all six of the original compositions for this album, Byrd then gathered a tight band of New York monsters, most notably Jackie McLean whose alto brought balance to the unique high timbre of Byrd’s minute horn. The great Duke Pearson’s piano fills in admirably as does the highly underrated bass playing of Doug Watkins. Lex Humphries holds it altogether with his impeccable timekeeping. Here on Limited Edtion 180g Japanese Import LP!

Donald Byrd Fuego Track Listing

1. Fuego  
2. Bup A Loup   
3. Funky Mama   
4. Low Life   
5. Lament   
6. Amen