At The Half Note Cafe Volume 1 - Donald Byrd (1LP Vinyl) [Tone Poet Series]

Let me tell you about At The Half Note Cafe Volume 1 by Donald Byrd – this recording changed the course of jazz history.

I remember finding this gem in a dusty basement shop in New York – the owner didn't even know what he had. Donald Byrd was at the height of their creative powers when they walked into Rudy Van Gelder's studio for this Blue Note session.

This recording captures Donald Byrd during a transformative period in both their personal artistry and the broader musical landscape.

Musical Analysis:
What strikes me most about this recording is the intricate interplay between the musicians. Donald Byrd leads with that distinctive voice that made them a legend, but it's the conversation between all the players that creates the real magic. The harmonic progressions showcase the evolution of jazz during this era, moving beyond traditional structures into more adventurous territory. You can hear the influence of bebop, hard bop, and the emerging modal approaches that would define the future of jazz. The rhythm section provides that perfect foundation – tight but never restrictive, allowing for those spontaneous moments that make jazz so compelling.

From a Collector's Perspective:
After decades of hunting down rare pressings and audiophile releases, I can tell you that records like this don't come around often. Blue Note Records has always been the gold standard for jazz recordings – Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff knew how to capture the essence of a performance. Their attention to detail, from the recording techniques to the pressing quality, set them apart from their contemporaries. This isn't just a record – it's a piece of musical history that belongs in any serious collection. The market for recordings like this has only grown stronger over the years, as more collectors recognize the artistic and historical significance of these sessions.

What makes this pressing special:
Replicates the original stereo release front cover with the "STEREO" sticker.

[Front cover]
Jazz at the waterfront

[Back cover]
Recorded on November 11, 1960, at the Half Note Café, New York City
LP Mastering by Kevin Gray, Cohearent Audio
A Blue Note Records release; Originally released in 1960 by Blue Note Records © 2022 UMG Recordings, Inc., 1750 N. Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028 - U.S.A.
Distributed by Universal Music Enterprises, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc. [...] Blue Note® is a registered trademark of Capitol Records, LLC.

[Labels: following appear before the title of the first track. A2 also includes a spoken introduction, probably by Donald Byrd, but this is not mentioned.]
Side A - Introduction by Ruth Mason
Side B - Introduction by Donald Byrd

['Blue Note Tone Poet Series' sticker]
Cut directly from the original analog tapes
Recorded By Rudy Van Gelder
Reissue Supervised by Joe Harley
Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
Manufactured at Record Technology Inc. (RTI) on 180 gram vinyl

Runouts are etched.

Track Listing:
. My Girl Shirl
A2. Soulful Kiddy
. A Portrait Of Jennie
B2. Cecile
B3. The Theme

Sound Quality & Pressing Details:
The sonic characteristics of this pressing are exceptional. The dynamic range captures every nuance of the original performance – from the subtle brush work on the drums to the full bloom of the horns in the climactic passages. The stereo imaging (or mono presentation, depending on the era) places you right in the studio with the musicians. You can hear the room tone, the natural reverb, and those little details that make you feel like you're experiencing a live performance. The bass response is tight and defined, the midrange warm and present, and the high frequencies crisp without any harshness. Pressing quality is crucial for a record like this, and this release maintains the highest standards. The vinyl is quiet between tracks, tracking is excellent throughout, and the overall presentation does justice to the source material. Modern pressing technology has allowed engineers to revisit the original master tapes with fresh ears and cutting-edge equipment, resulting in a sound quality that often surpasses earlier reissues.

Trust me on this one – I've been collecting for decades, and records like this are why vinyl will never die.

– Miles Waxey

Artist: Donald Byrd

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: Blue Note

Catalog Number: B0033842-01

Series: Tone Poet Series

Release Year: 2023

Country: United States

Condition: Sealed (New)