As fusion began to make its mark in the late 1960s, trumpeter Donald Byrd became one of its most successful practitioners. He cut "Black Byrd" for Blue Note and it became the label??s first million-selling album, catching a tide of jazz fusion changes that were propelling other jazz players like Herbie Hancock into successful cross-overs to both soul and rock audiences. Taking that album title, a group of Donald's music students formed the fusion outfit The Blackbyrds. Their albums "The Blackbyrds" and "Flying Start" (both from 1974) have already been reissued together as CDBGPD 086 and feature some of the band's most memorable pieces, among them the two classics Do It Fluid and Walking In Rhythm. The following year, The Blackbyrds cut "City Life" and in 1976 "Unfinished Business" (originally released as Fantasy 9490 and 9518, respectively). Both were produced by Donald Byrd and feature the regular core group of keyboard man Kevin Toney, guitarist Orville Saunders, bassist Joe Hall and drummer Keith Kiligo, with Stephen Johnson the saxophonist and flautist on the first album and Wesley Jackson filling the role on the second. Among the additional hands helping out and taking a bow are singer Merry Clayton, flautist Ernie Watts, saxophonist Gary Bartz, Patrice Rushen and George Bohanon. As a synthesis of all that was happening in Black music in the 1970s - electonic jazz, funk and hard, swinging R&B - what the group achieved demonstrated here has proven durable and (above all) a lot of fun!
Track listing
ShowSide 1
- 01 Preview Rock Creek Park
- 02 Preview Thankful 'Bout Yourself
- 03 Preview City Life
- 04 Preview All I Ask
- 05 Preview Happy Music
- 06 Preview Love So Fine
- 07 Preview Flying High
- 08 Preview Hash And Eggs
- 09 Preview Time Is Movin' On
- 10 Preview In Life
- 11 Preview Enter In
- 12 Preview You've Got That Something
- 13 Preview Party Land
- 14 Preview Lady
- 15 Preview Unfinished Business
Delivery & Returns
ShowWe offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.
We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.
In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.
You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.
