Search - Donald Byrd :: Getting Down to Business

Great Jazz

C. Barker | East Texas | 11/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fine CD with a great band. Besides Byrd, who is in excellent form, there is Al Foster on drums, Don Brown on piano, Kenny Garrett on alto sax, and Joe Henderson on tenor. All play really well. Being a drummer myself, I love Al Foster -- he is extremely tasteful and plays things that might sound effortless, natural and swinging, but are really very advanced rhythmic patterns. He is an unobtrusive drummer's drummer, which is why he is in high demand for session work. The music on this CD is what I would describe as high quality, somewhat mellow to grooving, advanced mainstream jazz. It's not "soft" jazz, but its not squealing avant guard or high-energy fusion either. It's just extremely listenable and tasty.



All the songs are good, some very good. But the main reason to get this CD is because of one song, Malcolm's Song, which is one of my all-time favorite jazz tunes. It has the most infectious beat and bounce, with a great melody and great solos. It keeps my head bopping as I listen -- for the umpteenth time -- I never get tired of it. This is great modern jazz.



You can also find that song on the compilation CD, Jazz for the Open Road, which is still easily available. "Open Road" is an excellent CD, and has the added benefit of having another of my favorite jazz tunes on it: Grant Green's Iron City. Very funky! I love that song! You can't go wrong with either CD, but "Open Road" is easier to find new."