Slow Drag

Making its belated first appearance on CD, this 1967 session finds trumpeter Donald Byrd picking up some of the pieces of his estimable hard-bop career before he veered off into fusion and atmospherics. His third effort in partnership with acrid-toned alto saxophonist Sonny Red (a.k.a. Sylvester Kyner) settles into a soulfully relaxed groove on the opening title cut (which drummer Billy Higgins, in a rare moment of verbosity, peppers with funky spoken declarations) and sustains an attractively even-tempered sound. The album includes graceful renditions of the standards "Secret Love" and "My Ideal" and two well-turned originals by pianist Cedar Walton, who is featured in the rhythm section with bassist Walter Booker. Nothing earthshaking here, but an enjoyable outing nonetheless. --Lloyd Sachs