Donald Byrd – trumpet (A1-B2) [click here to see more vinyl featuring Donald Byrd] Butch Warren - Bass Billy Higgins - Drums Herbie Hancock - Piano [click here to see more products featuring Herbie Hancock] Pepper Adams - Saxophone Written by Donald Byrd (A1, A3, B1-2), Joel Herron, Frank Sinatra, Jack Wolf (A2), Herbie Hancock (B3) 1 LP, standard sleeve Original analog Master Tape : YES Heavy Press : 180g Record Color : Black Speed : 33 RPM Size : 12" Stereo Studio Record Press : Optimal Label : Blue Note Classic Original Label : Blue Note Recorded September 21, 1961 at Van Gelder Studio Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey Recorded and engineered by Rudy Van Gelder Produced by Alfred Lion Mastered by Kevin Grey Design by Reid Miles Photography by Francis Wolff Liner note by Leonard Feather Originally released in September 21, 1961 Reissued in 2024 Tracks : Side A: Hush I'm A Fool To Want You Jorgie's Side B: Shangri-La 6 M's Requiem Reviews : “Donald Byrd was at his peak as a straight-ahead hard bop band leader in the early '60s, turning a series of remarkably solid, enjoyable sessions for Blue Note. Royal Flush is no exception to the rule. Recorded in the fall of 1961, Royal Flush finds Byrd once again working with baritionist Pepper Adams, but adding bassist Butch Warren, drummer Billy Higgins, and, most importantly, a young pianist named Herbie Hancock. For the most part, the quintet plays a set of vital hard bop, swinging hard on the bluesy groove "Hush" and laying back on the pop standard "I'm a Fool to Want You." But what's really interesting is when they begin pushing the boundaries of bop. All three of Byrd's original pieces -- "Jorgie's," "Shangri-La," "6M's" -- are harmonically complex and have subtly shifting rhythms; all three are successful, but "Shangri-La" is particularly noteworthy. Similarly, Hancock's graceful "Requiem" calls attention to its fluid melodic lines and rhythm. Throughout the date, Byrd and Adams are typically impressive, alternating between punchy, hard-hitting, and graceful solos, but Hancock is just as good, signaling early on in his career his deep, unique talent". AllMusic, review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine. Ratings: AllMusic : 3 / 5 ; Discogs : 4.67 / 5 ; DownBeat : 4 / 5
