Black Byrd

A groundbreaking record, this marks Donald Byrd’s initial collaboration with producer Larry Mizell, a partnership that would go on to redefine the landscape of jazz-funk. After exploring various electric styles that didn’t quite align with his artistic vision, Donald wisely teamed up with Larry. The result is a groove that would shape his musical journey for many years to come. The album stands as a jazz funk masterpiece, featuring robust production with stellar keyboard work, crafting a captivating array of grooves that allow Byrd to soar with his solos, showcasing a level of brilliance surpassing his previous years. It’s consistently great from start to finish.

Donald Byrd is one of my favorite jazz artists, and I particularly admire his jazz-funk style. He was a prominent hard bop trumpeter who recorded extensively for Blue Note in the ’50s and ’60s. In the late ’60s, he ventured into fusion, influenced by Miles Davis. Collaborating with the Mizell brothers in the early ’70s, Byrd developed a commercially successful jazz-funk style with tighter arrangements and smooth soul influences. While jazz purists criticized this phase, jazz-funk enthusiasts consider it innovative and enduring, elevating Byrd’s reputation even higher within their community compared to traditional jazz fans.