DON BYAS QUARTET – ANTHROPOLOGY (2003)(FULL ALBUM)

Tracklist
00:00 1 Anthropology
05:51 2 There Will Never Be Another You
13:21 3 Walkin'
19:41 4 A Night In Tunisia
30:12 5 Billie's Bounce
37:28 6 Don't Blame Me
45:08 7 Moonlight In Vermont

Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Compiled By, Liner Notes – Manfred Scheffner
Design [Sleeve] – Hamish Grimes
Drums – William Schiöpffe
Photography By – David Redfern
Piano – Bent Axen
Producer – Alan Bates
Tenor Saxophone – Don Byas

Recorded: Live at Jazzclub Montmatre, Copenhagen, 13.01.1963 (on tray of the CD there's 1964 - this is wrong!)

Label: Jazz Colours – 874774-2
Country: Germany
Released: ene 2003
Genre: Jazz
Style: Bop

Don Byas Quartet – Anthropology (2003) is a compilation that highlights the brilliance of Don Byas, a tenor saxophone virtuoso known for his fluid phrasing, rich tone, and effortless ability to bridge swing and bebop. The album showcases recordings that originally stem from the late 1940s and early 1950s, a period when Byas was experimenting with bebop while staying true to his swing roots.

Key Highlights:
Musicianship:
Byas's technical prowess and lyrical sensibility shine throughout the album. His interpretations are sophisticated yet soulful, exemplifying his unique ability to navigate bebop's complexity with a swing musician's warmth. The quartet format gives him ample space to explore, with the rhythm section providing a supportive and dynamic foundation.

Sound Quality:
Given that these recordings were made decades before the 2003 release, the remastering ensures that the sound is clean and captures the warmth of Byas's tenor sax. However, listeners should keep in mind the limitations of mid-20th-century recording technology.

Band Interaction:
The supporting musicians in the quartet complement Byas beautifully, with tight rhythm and subtle comping. Their interplay reflects the vibrant energy of the bebop era while maintaining a polished, collaborative feel.

Overall Impression:
This compilation serves as an excellent introduction to Don Byas’s work for both jazz newcomers and aficionados. It captures a critical moment in jazz history, where bebop's fiery innovation began to redefine the genre, and Byas stood as a bridge between the old and the new. While not a groundbreaking album in itself (as it compiles earlier works), it remains a compelling collection that showcases Byas’s mastery and his contribution to jazz.

Ideal for fans of swing, bebop, and timeless tenor saxophone artistry.

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