All-Analog 180g Vinyl LP of Donald Byrd’s Chant Mastered from the Original Master Tapes by Kevin Gray & Pressed at RTI: Reference-Caliber Blue Note Reissue Helmed by Music Matters’ Joe Harley
Recorded in 1961 but not released until 1979, the varied Chant is a fine representation of top trumpeter Donald Byrd’s style and of the partnership of five years that he shared with baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams. Throughout these performances, Byrd’s work is especially lyrical. On “I’m An Old Cowhand” and “That’s All,” he builds whole choruses around the melody in theme and variation style. Just ten years later, Byrd and Herbie Hancock (who appears here on one of his first ever recording dates) were separately funking up the commercial market and redefining the sound of R&B. This music remains fresh and vital well over a half a century later!
Musicians:
Donald Byrd, trumpet
Herbie Hancock, piano
Pepper Adams, baritone saxophone
Doug Watkins, bass
Eddy Robinson, drums