Jazz trumpet virtuoso Donald Byrd was already practically 15 years into his profession as a frontman, and a decade into his relationship with the lauded Blue Observe label, when he and his admirable band launched the album Fancy Free. Comprising 4 prolonged items and recorded in Could and June 1969, it made its debut on Billboard’s Finest Promoting Jazz LPs chart on January 3, 1970.
Such was the generosity and easy-going method of the entrance man that the 12-minute opening observe didn’t characteristic Byrd’s personal spectacular trumpet solo till an excellent 4 minutes in, even on a chunk he composed himself. Flautist Jerry Dodgion and sax participant Frank Foster every took the highlight first, then Duke Pearson weighed in with a nimble electrical piano solo.
The affect of Miles Davis on the sound was plain to listen to, as Byrd moved from the laborious bop model he‘d been identified for to extra of a jazz fusion method. He additionally wrote the second observe, the interesting “I Love The Girl,” whereas the second aspect of the LP featured “The Uptowner,” written by Mitch Farber, and “Weasil” by Charles Hendricks.
Fancy Free didn’t attain Billboard’s all-genre album chart, however it went on to a No.7 peak on the jazz listings and, in February 1970, flickered for 2 weeks at No.50 on the journal’s R&B LP countdown. Byrd had solely made the pop album chart with one earlier Blue Observe launch, 1964’s A New Perspective, however he would return strongly from 1973 onwards.
Take heed to Blue Observe’s Donald Byrd: The Best playlist.
He hit the High 40 with each Black Byrd and Road Woman, as he additionally additionally loved nice success together with his group challenge on the Fantasy label, the Blackbyrds. Based in Washington and that includes Byrd amongst 4 core members, they might rating three gold albums and the timeless hit single “Walking In Rhythm.”
Purchase or stream Fancy Free.
