Ethiopian Knights - Donald Byrd

Donald Byrd’s Ethiopian Knights is a vibrant, forward-looking jazz album that captures his transition into jazz-funk and fusion. Built around electric instruments, hypnotic grooves, and layered percussion, the record feels expansive and exploratory. Byrd blends spiritual jazz with global influences, creating long, flowing tracks that emphasize mood and rhythm over tight structure. The playing is loose but purposeful, giving the album a cosmic, searching energy. Ethiopian Knights stands out as a bridge between classic jazz and 1970s fusion, influencing later soul, funk, and hip-hop artists while showcasing Byrd’s constant drive to evolve.