ドナルド・バードが一流のハード・バップ・トランぺッターからフュージョンのパイオニアへと変貌を遂げる初期段階にあることを物語っている1969年と1970年の2回のセッションからの収録作品。
フランク・フォスター、ルー・タバキン、デューク・ピアソン、ロン・カーター、ミッキー・ローカー、アイアート・モレイラなどのバンド・メンバーとともに、さまざまなテクスチャーを探求している。
〈パーソネル〉Donald Byrd (tp)Duke Pearson (el-p) Lew Tabackin (fl, ts) Frank Foster (ts) William Campbell (tb) Ron Carter (b) Bob Cranshaw (el-b)
Airto Moreira (ds) Wally Richardson (g) Mickey Roker (ds) Dom Um Romao, Airto Moreira (perc)
発売・販売元 提供資料(2024/08/14)
Kofi was extracted from some of last Blue Note sessions of the 1960s before Byrd's ventures into soul fusion territory. The playing here is no less than stellar, with seasoned veterans such as Ron Carter and Airto Moreira giving Byrd more than ample support to stretch out and soulfully foreshadow elements of future recordings. Lew Tabackin easily shares the spotlight with his beautiful flute passages on the title track, while Frank Foster and the rest of the supporting group complement Byrd's playing with a grace that emulates the early chemistry between the early Miles Davis groups of the early '60s. The subtle relaxed tones of this album make it truly one of the essential releases in Byrd's catalog, not only from a historical standpoint (his future collaborations with the Mizell brothers would take him to an entirely different plane of thought), but from a casual listening standpoint as well. ~ Rob Theakston
Rovi