All-Analog 180g Mono Vinyl LP of Donald Byrd's Byrd's Eye View: Blue Note Tone Poet Reissue Mastered From the Original Master Tapes by Kevin Gray and Pressed at RTI

Recorded in 1955 for producer Tom Wilson’s short-lived Boston-based label Transition Records, Byrd’s Eye View was trumpeter Donald Byrd’s first issued recording as a leader. The date presented Byrd at the helm of what was then the current line-up of The Jazz Messengers with tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, pianist Horace Silver, bassist Doug Watkins, and drummer Art Blakey. Local Boston area trumpeter Joe Gordon joins the band for some friendly brass sparring with Byrd on several numbers, further adding to the album’s jovial air of a blowing session. Everyone is in fine form on this 5-song set with Side A consisting of an extended stroll through Watkins’ laid-back original “Doug’s Blues” followed by some inspired trading between Byrd and Gordon on “El Sino.” A beautiful rendition of the ballad “Everything Happens To Me” and two swinging Mobley pieces comprise Side B, bringing this highly-enjoyable date to a close.

The Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series was born out of Blue Note President Don Was’ admiration for the exceptional audiophile Blue Note LP reissues presented by Music Matters. Was brought Joe Harley, a.k.a. the “Tone Poet,” on board to curate and supervise a series of reissues from the Blue Note family of labels.

Extreme attention to detail has been paid to getting these right in every conceivable way, from the jacket graphics and printing quality to superior LP mastering (direct from the master tapes) by Kevin Gray. This mono Tone Poet Vinyl Edition is produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Gray (Cohearent Audio) from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at Record Technology Inc. (RTI), and packaged in a deluxe tip-on jacket with a booklet.

Musicians:
Donald Byrd - Trumpet
Joe Gordon - Trumpet
Hank Mobley - Tenor Saxophone
Horace Silver - Piano
Doug Watkins - Bass
Art Blakey - Drums

Features:
• Blue Note Tone Poet Series
• Curated by Music Matters co-founder Joe Harley
• Audiophile-quality 180g Mono vinyl LP
• All-analog mastering (direct from the master tapes) by Kevin Gray
• Manufactured at Record Technology Incorporated
• Packaged in a Deluxe tip-on jacket with a booklet.