Lou Donaldson - Blues Walk (1958) [APO Remaster 2010]
 PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DSD64 2.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 34:12 minutes | Scans included | 1,04 GB


 Lou Donaldson's undisputed masterpiece, Blues Walk, marks the point where the altoist began to decisively modify his heavy Charlie Parker influence and add a smoky, bluesy flavor of his own. The material is still firmly in the bebop vein, and the mellower moments aren't as sleepy as some of Donaldson's subsequent work, so the album sounds vital and distinctive even as it slows down and loosens things up. That makes it the definitive release in Donaldson's early, pre-soul-jazz period, but what elevates Blues Walk to classic status is its inviting warmth. Donaldson's sweetly singing horn is ingratiating and melodic throughout the six selections, making even his most advanced ideas sound utterly good-natured and accessible. The easy-swinging title cut is a classic, arguably Donaldson's signature tune even above his late-'60s soul-jazz hits, and his other two originals -- "Play Ray" and "Callin' All Cats" -- are in largely the same vein. Elsewhere, Donaldson displays opposite extremes of his sound; the up-tempo bebop classic "Move" provokes his fieriest playing on the record, and his romantic version of "Autumn Nocturne" is simply lovely, a precursor to Lush Life. The addition of Ray Barretto on conga is a subtle masterstroke, adding just a bit more rhythmic heft to the relaxed swing. There are numerous likable records in Donaldson's extensive catalog, but Blues Walk is the best of them all.  


Tracklist:

 01. Blues Walk
 02. Move
 03. The Masquerade Is Over
 04. Play Ray
 05. Autumn Nocturne
 06. Callin' All Cats

 Mastered from the original analogue master tapes by Kevin Gray & Steve Hoffman.

Personnel:
 Lou Donaldson - alto sax
 Herman Foster - piano
 Peck Morrison - bass
 Ray Barretto - conga
 Dave Bailey - drums

Perfectly played on Foobar2000 with "foo_input_sacd" plugin.
 For those Mac users wishing to play ISO, SACD format: see Audirvana Plus
 - Make sure you've configured it properly (check up the player settings).

Enjoy!!!