The Blackbyrds biography
The Blackbyrds were an American rhythm and blues and jazz-funk fusion group, formed in Washington, D.C., in 1973.
History
The group was inspired by trumpeter Donald Byrd and featured some of his Howard University students: Kevin Toney (keyboards), Keith Killgo (vocals, drums), Joe Hall (bass guitar), Allan C. Barnes (saxophone, clarinet), and Barney Perry (guitar). Orville Saunders (guitar), and Jay Jones (flute, saxophone) were later members of the group. They signed to Fantasy Records in 1973. They are best known for their 1975 hit "Walking in Rhythm", which received a Grammy nomination, sold over one million copies by May 1975, and was awarded a gold disc.
With eight successful albums released for Fantasy from 1974 to 1980, The Blackbyrds became an inspiration to late 1970s and early 1980s British jazz-funk acts such as Light Of The World and Hi-Tension. While, with Gang Starr, Da Lench Mobb and Full Force sampling their music, they have also more recently made a significant impact on the hip-hop generation.
In particular, their 1975 song "Rock Creek Park" from the City Life album has been sampled numerous times by groups such as De La Soul, Eric B. & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, NWA, Massive Attack, Ice Cube, Heavy D, Nas and Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five and Wiz Khalifa. The song has also appeared on the fictitious radio station Master Sounds 98.3 in the soundtrack to the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Discography
Studio albums
- 1973: The Blackbyrds (Fantasy)
- 1974: Flying Start (Fantasy)
- 1975: City Life (Fantasy)
- 1975: Cornbread, Earl and Me (Soundtrack) (Fantasy)
- 1976: Unfinished Business (Fantasy)
- 1977: Action (Fantasy)
- 1980: Better Days (Fantasy)
Compilations
- 1978: Night Grooves (Fantasy)
- 1989: Greatest Hits (Fantasy)
- 2007: Happy Music: The Best Of The Blackbyrds (Fantasy FCD-30194-2)
Singles
- "Do It, Fluid" (1974) - R&B #23, Pop #69
- "Walking In Rhythm" (1975) - R&B #4, Pop #6, Easy Listening #5
- "Flyin' High" (1975) - R&B #22, Pop #70, Easy Listening #25
- "Happy Music" (1976) - R&B #3, Pop #19
- "Rock Creek Park" (1976) - R&B #37, Pop #93
- "Time Is Movin'" (1977) - R&B #15, Pop #95
- "Party Land" (1977) - R&B #30
- "Soft And Easy" (1977) - R&B #20
- "Supernatural Feeling" (1978) - R&B #19
- "What We Have Is Right" (1981) - R&B #38
All singles released on the Fantasy label.
References
- D'Angelo, Enrico (June 2, 2003). "The Blackbyrds". The Harbus. Retrieved on October 27, 2007.
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