This album is the culmination of the innovative sound that Donald put forth on Fancy Free, Electric Byrd and Kofi. Combining L.A. studio musicians with Bobby Hutcherson and Harold Land and Jazz Crusaders Joe Sample and Wilton Felder, Byrd paints sonic pictures that draw from the textures of Miles Davis's "In a Silent Way" and African music as well as jazz, funk and fusion.

Over two days in August 1971, Donald Byrd brought a powerful band into A&M Studios in Los Angeles to record the jazz-funk exploration Ethiopian Knights, continuing his evolution from top-flight hard bop trumpeter to pioneer of R&B/funk fusion. Consisting of just three tracks—the extended funk workouts “The Emperor” and “The Little Rasti” with the cleanser “Jamie” in between—the album preceded his Mizell Bros produced fusion masterpiece Black Byrd, and featured stand-out contributions from tenor saxophonist Harold Land and vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, along with keyboardists Joe Sample and Bill Henderson III, guitarists Don Peake, Greg Poree, and David T. Walker, bassist Wilton Felder, drummer Ed Greene, and percussionist Bobbye Porter Hall.

This Blue Note 80 Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

Tracklist:

1. The Emperor

2. Jamie

3. The Little Rasti