Donald Byrd
Kofi (180gm analogue Tone Poet series)

Donald Byrd recorded his superb album ‘Kofi’ in two sessions in late 1969 and 1970, but it remained unreleased until the mid 90s.
It reflects the change of styles from the Hard Bop of the early 60s, Soul Jazz of the late 60s to the Funky Jazz of the early 70s. ‘Kofi’ is an excellent, breezy mid tempo groove track with Donald’s trumpet sharing lead with Lew Tabakin on flute. ‘Fufu’ is more intense with a tougher groove. ‘Elmina’ is more funky and would have fitted easily on his ‘Electric Byrd’ album from 1970. Mickey Roker is terrific on very hard hitting drums on this track. The line up is incredible with Duke Pearson, Ron Carter, Airto, Wally Richardson and Dom Um Romao involved with the previously mentioned musicians. It is issued on 180gm vinyl mastered from the original analogue tapes as part of Blue Note’s excellent Tone Poet series.

*This version does not feature ‘The Loud Minority’*