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Biography
Infobox musical artist | name = The Blackbyrds| image =| caption =| image_size =| background = group_or_band| origin = Washington, D.C. , United States | genre = Rhythm and blues|R& B , jazz-funk | years_active = 1973& ndash;1978| label = Fantasy Records|Fantasy | associated_acts =| website =| current_members =| past_members = Allan C. Barnes , Donald Byrd , Joe Hall, Jay Jones, Keith Killgo, Barney Perry, Orville Saunders, Kevin Toney , Wesley Jackson The Blackbyrds were an United States|American rhythm and blues and jazz-funk fusion group, formed in Washington, D.C. , in 1973.
History
The group was inspired by trumpet er Donald Byrd and featured some of his Howard University students: Kevin Toney ( keyboard instrument|keyboard s), Keith Killgo ( singing|vocals , drum s), 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 record|hit " Walking in Rhythm ", which received a Grammy Award|Grammy nomination, sold over one million copies by May 1975, and was awarded a music recording sales certification|gold disc .cite book | first= Joseph | last= Murrells | year= 1978 | title= The Book of Golden Discs | edition= 2nd | publisher= Barrie and Jenkins Ltd | location= London | page= 354 | isbn= 0-214-20512-6
With eight successful album s released for Fantasy from 1974 to 1980, The Blackbyrds became an inspiration to late 1970s and early 1980s United Kingdom|British jazz-funk acts such as Light Of The World and Hi-Tension. While, with Gang Starr , Da Lench Mobb and Full Force sampling (music)|sampling their music, they have also more recently made a significant impact on the hip-hop generation. http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/288/the_blackbyrds_talking_in_rhythm/ The Blackbyrds interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' June 2008
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 .Thompson, Dave (2001). Funk . Backbeat Books. p. 81. ISBN 0-87930-629-7 The song has also appeared on the fictitious radio station Grand_Theft_Auto:_San_Andreas_soundtrack#Master_Sounds_98.3|Master Sounds 98.3 in the soundtrack to the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas .Richards, Chris (August 20, 2006). " http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/18/AR2006081800189_pf.html These Blackbyrds Have Lots to Crow About". The Washington Post . Retrieved on April 11, 2008.
Discography
Studio albums
1973: The Blackbyrds (album)|The Blackbyrds ( Fantasy Records|Fantasy )
1974: Flying Start (album)|Flying Start (Fantasy)
1975: City Life (album)|City Life (Fantasy)
1975: Cornbread, Earl and Me|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
Reflist
D’Angelo, Enrico (June 2, 2003). " http://www.harbus.org/2003/The-Blackbyrds-2197 The Blackbyrds". The Harbus . Retrieved on October 27, 2007.
External links
Allmusic|class=artist|id=p6121
DEFAULTSORT:Blackbyrds, The Category:Musical groups from Washington, D.C. Category:American jazz ensembles Category:American rhythm and blues musical groups Category:American soul musical groups Category:American funk musical groups
pt:The Blackbyrds
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