The Blackbyrds - City Life
Regular price
€55,00
WE CANNOT COMMIT ON A DELIVERY DATE FOR PRE-ORDER VINYL & CD/SACD
It may take a few months for Labels to issue pre-order vinyl & CD/SACD
VAT included in price for European Union countries, may be adjusted based on delivery country at check out.
Shipping is free within European Union (except for specific territories) above 99€ purchase up to 50kg. Shipping costs on quote above 50kg – quote request to be send to : contact@audiosoundmusic.com. No return policy for countries outside of European Union
Bass – Joe Hall
Drums – Keith Killgo
Guitar – Orville Saunders
Keyboards – Kevin Toney
Saxophone – Stephen Johnson
Written by Donald Byrd (B1), Joe Hall (A1, B2), Keith Killgo (A1, B3), Kevin Toney (A1, A3, A4), Orville Saunders (A1, A2), Johnson (A1), F. Mizell (B4), L. Mizell (B4)
1LP, Gatefold jacket
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33RPM
Size : 12”
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Record Technology Incorporated
Label : Craft Recordings / Jazz Dispensary Top Shelf Series
Original Label : Fantasy
Produced by Donald Byrd
Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
Lacquer Cut by Kevin Gray
Photography by Gerald Panopoulos
Originally released in 1975
Reissued in 2025
Tracks :
Side A
- Rock Creek Park
- Thankful 'Bout Yourself
- City Life
- All I Ask
Side B
- Happy Music
- Love So Fine
- Flying High
- Hash And Eggs
Reviews :
« The Blackbyrds -- a jazz-funk outfit formed in a university class taught by jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd, who produced the albums and wrote most of the tunes -- were more of an Earth, Wind & Fire-style horn band than a purist jazz crew, but few groups were better in their chosen style, and 1975's City Life is probably their best album. It's certainly their most successful, including the pop hit "Happy Music" and what has become their signature tune, a percolating Latin-flavored jam called "Rock Creek Park" that's one of the pinnacles of '70s jazz-funk. As on the bouncy title track, the lyrical content is minimal, a simple hypnotic chant, but the fluid interplay of the musicians, who are masters of the unison horn section and the polyrhythmic groove, is what's important about this music. Other highlights include the funky southern-style soul of "Hash and Eggs" and the lyrical ballad "Love So Fine." This is often-sublime stuff ripe for rediscovery by fans of '70s funk, soul, and fusion. » City Life Review by Stewart Mason
Ratings :
Discogs : 4.3 / 5 ; AllMusic : 4/5