More than a dozen albums into his Blue Note tenure,Donald Byrds 1967 dateSlow Dragwould be one of the last pure hard bop sessions that the reliably brilliant trumpeter would cut before his music began evolving towards fusion. Byrd flies high on this highly gratifying set that finds its groove across a variety of feels fueled by the tremendous drumming ofBilly Higgins. The quintet is rounded out by alto saxophonistSonny Red, pianistCedar Walton, and bassistWalter Booker, each of whom contribute original compositions to the set list. The album opens with Byrds loose-limbed titled track, an endlessly entertaining 10-minute groovefest that features Higgins scene-stealing adlibbed vocals. Secret Love, a 1950s hit for Doris Day, becomes a modal jazz vehicle that shifts easily into a bright swing before Booker and Waltons Books Bossa introduces a bossa nova flavor to the proceedings. Reds upbeat boogaloo number Jelly Roll lifts the energy at the start of Side 2 followed by Waltons soulful jazz waltz The Loner. The album comes to a close with a showstopping performance of the ballad My Ideal thats a showcase for Byrds dazzling melodicism.

UHQ-CDs reproduce the sound of original master tapes as faithfully as possible by utilizing new transfer technologies and improved materials to produce high-quality sound with a better representation of the whole stage. UHQ-CDs comply with CD standards and can be played on existing players. Each title is presented in a UHQ-CD jewel case with an obi-strip and the original sleeve notes reproduced on the back inlay.

Tracklist:
1. Slow Drag
2. Secret Love
3. Books Bossa
4. Jelly Roll
5. The Loner
6. My Ideal