Lou Donaldson - Lou Takes Off - XRCD

2023 release

Mastered and produced by Alan Yoshida and Joe Harley from the Original Rudy Van Gelder Blue Note 2-Track Analog Tapes.
Highest Quality Analog-to-Digital transfers from tape to CD
Deluxe Packaging with Hi-Resolution Black & White Session Photos by Francis Wolff.
Includes Original Album Liner Notes
XRCD24 is Compatible with ALL CD PLAYERS

Musicians:
Lou Donaldson, alto saxophone
Donald Byrd, trumpet
Curtis Fuller, trombone
Sonny Clark, piano
Jamil Nasser, bass
Art Taylor, drums

The influence of Charlie Parker can be heard in virtually every modern jazz musician, particularly players of the alto saxophone. Although considered to be one of "Bird's children," Lou Donaldson absorbed and synthesized other pre-Parker influences, such as Johnny Hodges and Benny Carter. This recording marks a period in his development prior to a stylistic shift away from bop and toward a stronger rhythm and blues emphasis. Three up-tempo tunes are pure bebop; the remaining number is a medium blues in B flat, quite characteristic of the hard bop period. The front line on this set includes Donald Byrd and Curtis Fuller; the rhythm section is Sonny Clark, George Joyner, and Art Taylor. Overall, Lou Takes Off breaks no new musical ground, but it is a solid, swinging session of high-caliber playing.

Lee Bloom