Donald Byrd, the renowned trumpeter, was a tireless performer throughout his career - within a span of almost 60 years, he has led his own groups on 50 albums, and was a sideman in 97 more! 🎺

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His pre-70s work is mostly hard bop jazz (especially during his time with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers).

 

By the late 1960s, Donald Byrd becomes fascinated with Miles Davis' avant-garde approach to music, especially with regard to MD’s move into fusion & electric jazz as well as his attemts to appeal to younger audience through electronics and funk rhythms, and starts recording his own forays into the field.

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Donald Byrd's 70s albums are all fantastic! The creative union with the Mizell Brothers result in the epic “Black Byrds” (along with other notable albums like Street Lady and Places and Spaces) - however, prior to this productive relationship, DB collaborates with a distinguished line-up and records "Ethiopian Knights," (for the Blue Note label) in 71 and embraces the new jazz-funk trend. 👊

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The album contains only three tracks, two of which are lengthy: "The Emperor," "Jamie," and "The Little Rasti."

"The Emperor" and "The Little Rasti" are extensive funk pieces that last for more than 15 and 17 minutes, respectively. Byrd's soaring trumpet and the Jazz Crusaders' Joe Sample and Wilton Felder provide a powerful rhythm section interplay. Bobby Hutcherson's vibraphone and Harold Land's tenor saxophone create layers of color and depth. Between the two longer tracks, "Jamie" is a shorter, more melodic piece that provides contrast to the longer tracks.

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"Ethiopian Knights" draws inspiration from a variety of sources. There are unmistakable similarities to Miles Davis' iconic "In a Silent Way" (though Ethiopian Knights is more melodic and rhythmically complex, therefore sounding a little happier)… There is also the influence of James Brown and Sly Stone – which is not surprising, considering many jazz musicians were inspired by what JB and SS were doing with their music and how they were entertaining audiences. One could say, DB absorbs these influences, and incorporating his own rhythmic sensibilities, creates his own route with the "Ethiopian Knights."

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While (maybe) not quite reaching the heights of "Black Byrd," "Ethiopian Knights" is upbeat and engaging –  a lively and enjoyable listening experience that spans 37 minutes 🔥

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Gülben - 04/2024

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📖 Donald Byrd – Ethiopian Knights by The Gaff in UGSMAG

📖 Donald Byrd – Ethiopian Knights Review by Gene Gol-Jonsson in SputnikMusic

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🎶 Genre: Jazz-Funk

For other Jazz-Funk content on site: FUNK FUSION

For all archive: FUNK ARCHIVE

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