Donald Byrd Part One: Electrified Donald

When I got my musical tastes broaden by Miles Davis's Bitches Brew I wanted to see what other Jazz people were doing at the same time.  Not only did Miles make Rock music turn their collective heads, but I'm sure Jazz people were surprised to hear a direction that Miles Davis maybe would have never crossed.  It's sure a debate.  I know that I'm sure that this time in music was an interesting moment.  Hearing Miles use keyboards, electric guitar, percussion, and sometimes electric bass to make Jazz sound modern and exciting was to hear it sound funky and fresh.

The music of other Jazz artists should not be over shadowed.  One person who followed Miles lead was another trumpet named Donald Byrd.  I knew little about him from college, but I was pointed in the right direction when it came to what music I should be listening to.  His early Blue Note albums are amazing.  At some point I will talk about A New Perspective and how that too changed music too.  It's blend of a Jazz group with voices was lush and beautiful and surprised that did not give Jazz a new direction as well.  In 1963 it was something to hear and really enjoy.  I still put it up there with my favorite early Jazz albums of the 1960's.  Electric Byrd though was a completely different direction and it was part of the late 1960's Donald Byrd's best.

From 1969-1971 and beyond, Donald Byrd made some Miles Davis type fusion that still needs to be heard again for it's worth.  It is very worthy to me because it give another voice to the trumpet and now it's not part of a Jazz Rock group like Chicago or Blood Sweet and Tears it's part of its own. The music of Donald Byrd around this era is his own version of Miles Davis Electric period.  Even better for new listeners, The songs are half the length of Miles's songs, and while had trumpet and saxophone.  Donald had two sometimes three saxophone players.  He let the horns lead to the expression of his music.  Miles expression was heavy on percussion and keyboards.  There is nothing wrong with either.  They are each artists best works.  While the music side length on Miles's albums, it's a bit shorter on Donald Byrd's Electric Byrd.  When you listen to Bitches Brew you feel like the music of the 21st Century.  Donald made the music sound modern and contemporary at the same time.

Donald Byrd was always ahead of the curve.  I like it and not only did it have a Soul Jazz feel, it was also very Funky in parts.  The song "The Dude" has some kick to it.  The band know each other well enough and it works for a smaller ensemble compared to Miles large group.  Duke Pearson's electric piano is got a groove that is quite exciting.  Duke's music has been pretty cool and on this song it sure has a great feel to it.  Only one regret with the song, it ends to early.  This tune is so smokin' it should have been longer then the almost eight minute length.

What I also like about this album is the group of people has playing with him.  Having Duke Pearson, Ron Carter, Pepper Adams, and Mickey Roker is awesome, but when you add people like Airto Moreita and Hermeto Pascoal make the album cook even more.  Hearing this come together is shown really well on the song"Estavanico"I love the tune and in some way it sounds like the music is floating.  Nice touch with the flutes and the wah wah of the guitar and serious improvisation.

If you want to try something with your Jazz fusion, then Electric Byrd is your album.  It's cool and hip music and sometimes makes you feel like your watching this live and also transports you to another place.  It's hip and very cool to listen to.  One thing that is not cool about this is the availability.  As of the writing of this post, $83.00 for the CD and $170.00 for an LP version. There is also no MP3 version out there through iTunes or Amazon.  I happen to stumble upon a used Cd copy for $8.00. It's worth a search and listen.  Enjoy!!!