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DONALD BYRD - FUEGO (200g MONO LP)

Donald Byrd leads a finely tuned quintet with Jackie McLean, Duke Pearson, Doug Watkins and Lex Humphries on six varied originals on this excellent 1959 album. This is Byrd's only recording on pocket trumpet.

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 runt of the family, the ‘pocket trumpet’, measuring only nine inches in length, was taken up by the likes of Don Cherry, Ted Curson and, for his 1959 release Fuego, Donald Byrd. Personally writing all six of the original compositions for this album, a tight band of New York monsters were gathered; especially 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. As part of the Classic Blue Note Signature LP reissue Series this reissue was mastered and cut from the original analog master tapes on Classic’s ALL TUBE MONO cutting system and featuring authentic tip on jackets with film laminate front covers. Great record – highly recommended!

Donald Byrd Fuego Track Listing

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