Byrd, Donald: Stepping Into Tomorrow (Vinyl LP)
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Donald Byrd’s 1974 fusion masterpiece Stepping Into Tomorrow was a high-water mark of the legendary trumpeter’s vibrant latter Blue Note years. Byrd had begun recording for Blue Note in 1958, and over the course of his tenure evolved from a top-notch hard bop trumpeter into a pioneer of R&B/Funk fusion, leading the label’s own creative direction along a similar path.
Byrd began to introduce elements of fusion to his music with his 1969 album Fancy Free and shadowed Miles Davis’s early-1970s moves with experimental sessions like Electric Byrd and Ethiopian Knights. When Byrd hooked up with visionary producer Larry Mizell for his landmark 1972 album Black Byrd a new sound coalesced: funky and sultry, sophisticated yet accessible, with intricate arrangements that allowed Byrd’s trumpet to soar over top.
A string of commercial successes followed, the third of which was Stepping Into Tomorrow featuring the standout title track and 'Think Twice', which would become touchstones for future hip-hop generations including artists like J Dilla, Madlib, and A Tribe Called Quest. The album featured contributions from saxophonist Gary Bartz, multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Fonce Mizell, bassist Chuck Rainey, drummer Harvey Mason & others.
This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analogue, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.
- Stepping Into Tomorrow
- Design A Nation
- We're Together
- Think Twice
- Makin' It
- Rock And Roll Again
- You Are The World
- I Love The Girl
Please be advised that while all new products are guaranteed unplayed, in some instances products may not be factory sealed.