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Donald
Byrd: Ethiopian Knights
LP: Blue Note BST 84380
CD: Blue Note 54328B
Tracks & Composers
1 The Emperor (Byrd)
2 Jamie (Byrd)
3 The Little Rasti (Byrd)
Personnel
Donald Byrd (tp); Harold Land (ts); Thurman Green (tb); Bobby Hutcherson
(vib); William Henderson III (p, el-p); Joe Sample (org); Don Peake, Greg
Poree, David T. Walker (g); Wilton Felder (el-b); Edward Greene (d); Bobbye
Porter Hall (congas, tamb)
Recording Date & Location
25-26 Aug 1971, Los Angeles, CA
Commentary
Ethiopian Knights is more funk than jazz, very much a product
of the times. The album consists of two churning marathon tracks, “The
Emperor” and “The Little Rasti,” plus one cheesy shorter tune, “Jamie.”
This is good stuff, but there’s nothing mind-blowing here. Both Miles
and Herbie were turning out more unbelievable funk-driven jazz around
this same time. Even so, Ethiopian Knights is enjoyable. Bobby’s
vibes are prominent on the long first cut, “The Emperor”; he also contributes
a sinuous, interesting solo. Harold Land’s tenor sax sounds good too.
On tracks 2 and 3, Hutcherson's contribution is negligible (no solos).
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