More than a dozen albums into his Blue Note tenure, Donald Byrds 1967 date “Slow Drag” would be one of the last pure hard bop sessions that the reliably brilliant trumpeter would cut before his music began evolving towards fusion. Byrd flies high on this highly gratifying set that finds its groove across a variety of feels fueled by the tremendous drumming of Billy Higgins.

The quintet is rounded out by alto saxophonist Sonny Red, pianist Cedar Walton, and bassist Walter Booker, each of whom contribute original compositions to the set list. The album opens with Byrds loose-limbed titled track, an endlessly entertaining 10-minute groovefest that features Higgins scene-stealing adlibbed vocals. Secret Love, a 1950s hit for Doris Day, becomes a modal jazz vehicle that shifts easily into a bright swing before Booker and Waltons Books Bossa introduces a bossa nova flavor to the proceedings. Reds upbeat boogaloo number Jelly Roll lifts the energy at the start of Side 2 followed by Waltons soulful jazz waltz The Loner. The album comes to a close with a showstopping performance of the ballad My Ideal thats a showcase for Byrds dazzling melodicism. (via Blue Note)

Label: Blue Note
Series: Blue Note Tone Poet Series
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Gatefold, 180g
Country: Worldwide
Reissued: Jun 2, 2023 / Original Release: 1968
Genre: Jazz
Style: Hard Bop, Soul Jazz

File under: Jazz / Blue Note Tone Poet Series