Track Listing

1. Change (Makes You Want To Hustle)
2. You And Music
3. Black Byrd
4. Think Twice
5. Onward 'til Morning
6. Lansana's Priestess
7. Street Lady
8. Flight Time
9. Places And Spaces
10. Wind Parade
11. Dominoes
12. Steppin' Into Tomorrow
13. Just My Imagination
14. Love's So Far Away
15. Dominoes (1)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43376 in Music
• Released on: 1992-03-16
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
You can divide Donald Byrd's career into three main phases: hard bop, which lasted from 1955 to the mid 60s; from there he moved into soul jazz for a number of years; and finally into jazz funk. It is the latter period, which this is the best of, taking tracks off his 1970 albums. Influenced by the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, these are tunes where there is little--i.e. it's microscopic if there is indeed any--improvisation. Instead there are funky disco grooves, with vocalists (often female but sometimes including Byrd himself) singing of the "hustle" and "the laydeees". To some jazz purists it may not be jazz but even if the lyrics are gloriously cheesy and the music often kitsch there is no mistaking the fun of it all. These are tunes, which have influenced today's acid jazzers and are why Byrd has enjoyed renewed interest of late, including work with Guru's jazz rap project, Jazzmatazz. Get on down!--Phil Brett

Customer Reviews

Majestic
That is what the commentry at the back of this record says and it is hard to disagree.

This is a great introduction to the great mans music, if you like Jazz Funk and Soulful vocals over Jazzy Grooves this is for you.

Probably the most know song on this collection is Dominoes, but to be honest I think every song is great. My personal stand outs are You and Music, Think Twice and Wind Parade.

Just enjoy.