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The Blackbyrds
Opa and The Blackbyrds: Coveted 1970s Jazz-Funk
by Mark Sullivan
Opa released only two albums before disbanding in the early 1980s. While neither of their albums found commercial success during their initial releases (despite the high-profile personalities involved), both titles gained underground followings over the following decades. The Blackbyrds' City Life celebrates its golden anniversary. “Happy Music," the dancefloor-ready title track and the group's heavily sampled signature hit, “Rock Creek Park" are the showpieces. The LP re-releases are a gift to DJs and samplers who have had to do serious ...
Continue ReadingBlackbyrds & Charles Earland: At the Movies
by Derek Taylor
Basketball and Blaxploitation collide courtside in the film Cornbread, Earl and Me a mid-70s urban blockbuster with a soundtrack scored by Donald Byrd, which comprises the first part of this recent Prestige two-fer. Bringing in his band of former pupil protégés The Blackbyrds and backing them with a studio orchestra Byrd set about tailoring music to the cinematic tale of a inner-city basketball star shot down by neighborhood cops. The album falls prey to the usual plight of many soundtracks. ...
Continue ReadingKeyboardist Kevin Toney To Perform Sizzling Summer “California Concerts” Through August With Jazz Trio The Kevin Toney 3 And A Reunion Of '70s Soul-jazz Pioneers The Blackbyrds
Source:
Inque Public Relations
KT3’s V.I.P. CD Release Show at Vitello’s for Album - NEW AMERICAN SUITE Blackbyrds Share Opening Night of Long Beach Jazz Festival with The Isley Brothers “These performances represent the new (KT3) and the vintage (Blackbyrds) and is the culmination of my journey in music!" —Kevin Toney Keyboard wizard Kevin Toney is about kick the temperature up in August several more degrees with a series of exciting “California Concerts.” With the July 24 release of his classical jazz concept album ...
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