Royal Flush [RVG Edition]

Artist: Donald Byrd

Number of Discs: 1

Label: Blue Note
Availability: In stock
Item #: 5188514

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Review

Donald Byrd was at his peak as a straight-ahead hard bop band leader in the early '60s, turning in a series of remarkably solid, enjoyable sessions for Blue Note. Royal Flush is no exception to the rule. Recorded in the fall of 1961, Royal Flush finds Byrd once again working with baritonist Pepper Adams, but adding bassist Butch Warren, drummer Billy Higgins, and, most importantly, a young pianist named Herbie Hancock. For the most part, the quintet plays a set of vital hard bop, swinging hard on the bluesy groove "Hush" and laying back on the pop standard "I'm a Fool to Want You." But what's really interesting is when they begin pushing the boundaries of bop. All three of Byrd's original pieces -- "Jorgie's," "Shangri-La," "6M's" -- are harmonically complex and have subtly shifting rhythms; all three are successful, but "Shangri-La" is particularly noteworthy. Similarly, Hancock's graceful "Requiem" calls attention to its fluid melodic lines and rhythm. Throughout the date, Byrd and Adams are typically impressive, alternating between punchy, hard-hitting, and graceful solos, but Hancock is just as good, signaling early on in his career his deep, unique talent. [This RVG edition features 24-bit remastering.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Read About This Recording

Trumpeter Donald Byrd has had a long and intriguing career. Born in Detroit in late 1932, he was part of the very viable Detroit jazz scene during the first half of the 1950s. After debuting on records in 1955, he recorded prolifically during the next 15 years as one of jazz's top hard bop trumpeters. Although overshadowed a bit by Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard, Byrd made many fine records, co-led a notable quintet for a time with baritonist Pepper Adams, and kept an open mind towards R&B and pop music while sticking to jazz. He recorded as a leader for several labels, with his work for Blue Note being considered among his most rewarding sessions.

After a few transitional projects in 1969-70, in 1972 the trumpeter recorded Black Byrd, a commercial funk project that became a best seller. During the next decade, his recordings were of very little interest to the jazz world but always sold quite well on the pop market. Byrd, who became very involved in music education, was barely playing trumpet at all by the early 1980s, even on his own records. In 1987 he returned to jazz, recording a few decent CDs but has been mostly semi-retired since the early 1990s.

Royal Flush is a Blue Note CD that features Donald Byrd in his prime. This recording, from 1961, teams together Byrd and baritonist Pepper Adams with pianist Herbie Hancock (a Byrd discovery), bassist Butch Warren and drummer Billy Higgins. The music is forward-looking hard bop with Byrd's originals (best known is Jorgie's) stretching the music and hinting in spots at freer forms of jazz. The quintet's versions of I'm A Fool To Want You and Herbie Hancock's Requiem are among the most memorable selections.

Donald Byrd's Blue Note recordings are well worth exploring, and Royal Flush is the perfect place to start.

-Scott Yanow

Remastered!

Hush; I'm a Fool to Want You; Jorgie's; Shangri-la; 6 M's; Requiem.

Donald Byrd, Trumpet; Pepper Adams, Baritone Sax; Herbie Hancock, Keyboards; Butch Warren, Bass Guitar; Billy Higgins, Drums.

Tracks + Soundclips

Royal Flush [RVG Edition]
	1. Hush	6:24
	2. I'm a Fool to Want You	6:15
	3. Jorgie's	8:07
	4. Shangri-La	6:37
	5. 6 M's	6:30
	6. Requiem	7:06

Details and Credits

Product Details

Label: Blue Note
Release date: 1961/09/21
Instrumental

Styles

Hard Bop

Browse all jazz styles

Album Credits
Performance Credits
Billy Higgins	Drums
Butch Warren	Bass
Donald Byrd	Trumpet
Herbie Hancock	Piano
Pepper Adams	Sax (Baritone)

Technical Credits
Alfred Lion	Producer
Bob Blumenthal	Liner Note Adaptation
Francis Wolff	Photography
Gordon Jee	Reissue Director
Leonard Feather	Original Liner Notes
Michael Cuscuna	Reissue Producer
Michale Boland	Reissue Art Director
Reid Miles	Cover Design
Rudy Van Gelder	Remastering