Donald Byrd A New Perspective on LP

One of the great trumpeters to emerge from the 1950s, Donald Byrd helped to define hard bop. Although he gained his greatest fame in the 1970s when he recorded commercially successful funk albums, he was at the height of his swinging powers back in the late-50s and early-60s when he cut a series of history making albums for the Blue Note label. 

1963's A New Perspective finds Byrd leading an all-star septet with Hank Mobley (tenor saxophone), Herbie Hancock (piano), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Donald Best (vibraphone, vocals), Butch Warren (bass) and Lex Humphries (drums). What sets the date apart, however, is the gospel and blues arrangements of Duke Pearson and the spiritual 8-piece vocal choir directed by Coleridge Perkinson.

"Because of my own background, I've always wanted to write an entire album of spiritual-like pieces. The most accurate way I can describe what we were all trying to do is that this is a modern hymnal. In an earlier period, the New Orleans jazzmen would often play religious music for exactly what it was - but with their own jazz textures and techniques added. Now, as modern jazzmen, we're also approaching this tradition with respect and great pleasure." - Donald Byrd

Donald Byrd (trumpet)

Hank Mobley (tenor saxophone)

Herbie Hancock (piano)

Kenny Burrell (guitar)

Donald Best (vibraphone, vocals)

Butch Warren (bass)

Lex Humphries (drums)

• Remastered and reissued as part of the Blue Note 75th anniversary vinyl reissue campaign 

• Vinyl initiative spearheaded by current Blue Note Records President, Don Was, to include 100 essential Blue Note albums 

• Includes special Blue Note 75 vinyl sleeve that features album cover art for 75 Blue Note titles 

• First run of vinyl to include Blue Note 75th logo on back of package 

• Key to the Blue Note 75th anniversary vinyl reissue campaign is the creation of high quality audio at an affordable price 

• Blue Note will celebrate their iconic artists and the history of the label with various events, digital initiatives, vinyl campaigns and more

1. Elijah

2. Beast of Burden

3. Cristo Redentor

4. The Black Disciple

5. Chant