Donald Byrd: Ethiopian Knights (180g) Vinyl LP

I'll be honest, this record flew under my radar until it landed on my desk. After years of searching for great jazz records, especially those from Blue Note and by Donald Byrd, I'd never seen this LP before. Maybe it didn't stand out because it lacks the sharp graphic design of Blue Note's 60s bop and 70s jazz - funk styles. It actually looks more like a Stax record, thanks to the photo and art direction by Norman Seeff, known for some of the odd Blue Note covers like Bobbi Humphrey's Dig This and Ronnie Foster's Two - Headed Freap. The band is a mix of jazz greats: Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Joe Sample on organ, Ed Greene on drums, and more. On side B, accomplished Motown guitarist Greg Poree teams up with David Walker and Don Peake. The record features two long tunes connected by a short ballad, 'Jamie'. The longer tracks, 'The Emperor' and 'The Little Rasi', are super funky with plenty of breaks. If you love simple, rolling grooves without the jazz - funk pretense, this is the one for you. It's an official 180g pressing with a fresh remaster for Blue Note's 80th anniversary. Key features: 180g black vinyl pressing, all - analog remaster from original tapes, Blue Note 80th anniversary edition, music label: Blue Note Records 2019. Reviewed by Nick Nightingale in 08/2019.

Using this 180g vinyl LP is easy. Just place it on your turntable and gently drop the needle on the record to start enjoying the music. When handling the vinyl, make sure your hands are clean to avoid getting fingerprints or dirt on it. Store the record in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent warping. After each use, put the record back in its sleeve carefully to protect it from scratches. Also, it's a good idea to clean the record periodically with a proper vinyl cleaning brush to keep the sound quality top - notch. This special 80th anniversary edition of Blue Note is a collector's item, so take good care of it to enjoy the great jazz music for years to come.