Lou Donaldson - Blues Walk (1958) [FLAC]

This is a bit of a different sound to the prior uploads. This is Lou Donaldson running hard bop, cover to cover. This album carries the typical bluesy swing and swagger that you'll find on a lot of hard bop albums, but I think Lou's band does a particularly great job of it here.

Personnel-wise, we've got Lou Donaldson on alto sax and a slightly expanded rhythm section consisting of Herman Foster on piano, Peck Morrison on bass, Dave Bailey on drums and rounding it out is Ray Barretto on congas. The congas are an interesting addition, but the execution is fairly subtle, they just add to the effortless swing set up by Peck and Dave. I'd say bass is pretty business as usual here, but the swing does feel quite good here, so Peck is supporting quite well. Gun to my head, I'd say the drums and horns are the show stealers on this album. Piano gets a star moment on the opening track Blues Walk and Autumn Nocturne.

All in all, it's a classy album with a lot of character. Lou is a class act too, if you ever see interviews of him. Pretty hilarious guy.

https://mega.nz/file/Dlg2VZyL#xznrDfe5GDeRxk8SwoNh1SkAZFWJ-CCalW7FJKxm-kY