Byrd Song

An unusual jazz album from the early sixties by Donald Byrd called A New Perspective. In many ways it is a typical Blue Note blues influenced groove session. Trumpeter Byrd leads a very solid band who are all on good form including Hank Mobley on tenor sax, Herbie Hancock on piano, guitarist Kenny Burrell and Donald Best on vibes. What gives it a different feel is the addition of arranged voice parts for a gospel style group of singers. Personally, I could have done with the singers being a bit more gritty, on a couple of occasions they do tend towards sounding like the Pearl and Dean theme or a sixties Martini advert. It does lend a novel and interesting perspective though as the title implies. And there is one stand out track, Cristo Redentor, which is a very moving and inspiring track featuring some fine playing on a timeless spiritual kind of tune.