Donald Byrd was deep in a groove in 1961 as the trumpeter turned out one hard bop classic after another for Blue Note including The Cat Walk featuring Byrd’s quintet with Pepper Adams on baritone saxophone, Duke Pearson on piano, Laymon Jackson on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. The band struts their stuff on an engaging set of swinging originals including Pearson’s alluring opener “Say You’re Mine,” Byrd’s swaggering title track, and an up-tempo sprint through Neal Hefti’s tune “Cute” featuring a commanding performance by Jones.

This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.