Royal Flush (album) explained

Royal Flush is an album by American jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd recorded on September 21, 1961 and released on Blue Note the following year. Byrd's quintet features saxophonist Pepper Adams and rhythm section Herbie Hancock, Butch Warren and Billy Higgins.^[2]

Background

The album is Herbie Hancock's first Blue Note session to be released.^[3]

Reception

The AllMusic review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine states, "For the most part, the quintet plays a set of vital hard bop... But what's really interesting is when they begin pushing the boundaries."^[4]

Track listing

All compositions by Donald Byrd except as indicated

Side 1

1. "Hush" – 6:24
2. "I'm a Fool to Want You" (Joel Herron, Frank Sinatra, Jack Wolf) – 6:15
3. "Jorgie's" – 8:07

Side 2

1. "Shangri-La" – 6:37
2. "6M's" – 6:30
3. "Requiem" (Hancock) – 7:07

Personnel

Musicians

• Donald Byrd – trumpet
• Pepper Adams – baritone saxophone (except "I'm a Fool to Want You")
• Herbie Hancock – piano
• Butch Warren – bass
• Billy Higgins – drums

Technical personnel

• Alfred Lion – producer
• Rudy Van Gelder – recording engineer
• Reid Miles – design
• Francis Wolff – photography
• Leonard Feather – liner notes

Notes and References

1. https://books.google.com/books?id=qxcEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Byrd+Royal+Flush&pg=PA74 Billboard Sep 22, 1962
2. http://www.jazzdisco.org/donald-byrd/catalog/#blue-note-blp-4101 Donald Byrd discography
3. Book: Cook, Richard . Blue Note Records: The Biography . Justin, Charles & Co. . 2003 . 148 .
4. Erlewine, S. T. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r136282|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic Review] accessed August 31, 2010