VJTV'S Annual IMPULSE! Jazz Sale
STAY TUNED for more MONSTER IMPULSE! Jazz listings in the DAYS TO COME ...

And yes we will SPRINKLE in some OTHER rarities we've been acquiring ...

VINYL Bordering on MINT with just 1 INAUDIBLE scuff on side one that keeps it from STONE MINT as SIDE 2 is PRISTINE MINT, NEVER SEEN A TURNTABLE. Don't let the "BLUE LABEL" fool you because this record is still 50 YEARS OLD and these 70's PRESSING are KNOWN TO SOUND AMAZING.

Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, October 4, 1959

Blue label with black "b" used acc LJC from 1973 to 1978

"RVG STEREO" in run-out groove Fuego Review

by Michael G. Nastos

Fuego -- a title that might be somewhat misleading -- is the final Blue Note recording exclusively pairing Donald Byrd with , a fruitful partnership that set the yin of the (in this case) restrained trumpeter, against the yang of the tart and extroverted alto saxophonist. While not quite a unified whole, the two were involved in turf battles that were based on mutual respect, here exuding a quieter fire that toned down and muted Byrd to attain an intriguing harmonic balance. 's clever piano in the middle, with playing bass and favored drummer , made for one of the more diverse sounds in modern jazz circa 1959-1960. Of course hard bop is at the core of this band, but Byrd is moving further into post-bop, as served up heartily by the two horns during the modal, rambling, and staggered theme of the title selection. It's more a cool flame than burning inferno, as the drum inserts of fill the cracks of the horns' bluesy ideas. "Bup-A-Loup" is a harder bop theme, with distinct staccato accents identifying the melody priming 's quintessential solo. "Low Life" also takes into account the burgeoning original soul-jazz aesthetic in a jaunty mood that parallels the evergreens "Dis Here" and "Dat Dere." As Byrd's father was a preacher, "Amen" pays tribute to the spirit-soul in a gospel shuffle straight from the pulpit with some static drum accents. "Lament" is not the standard, but a light, soul-jazz original with ultimate feeling, depth, and sophistication -- a real beauty. The title "Funky Mama" fools you a bit into thinking it is a typical soul-jazz number, while it is, in fact, a long, striding, loping, cushy, and dusky blues, very patient and elegant, embellished by 's singing alto. This is where in particular shines, wringing out all of the combined pain and joy so prevalent in the styles of previous masters like , , , and . On the front cover, a contemplative Donald Byrd is depicted, perhaps pondering his next move and his band five years after successfully joining the New York City jazz scene from his native Detroit. It also represents his thoughtful role in Fuego, as he takes a break from forceful interaction to play a more democratic role on this refined and mature album that is less brash, a prelude for his more powerful statements yet to come

– Fuego

Label: – BST 84026Format: , LP, Album, Stereo Country:Released:Genre:Style: A1
FuegoA2
Bup A LoupA3
Funky MamaB1
Low LifeB2
LamentB3
Amen Record Company – Recorded At – Manufactured By – Alto Saxophone – Bass – Drums – Lacquer Cut By – * Piano – Producer – Recorded By – Trumpet, Written-By [All Compositions] –