Donald Byrd - Stepping Into Tomorrow

1LP Vinyl - 6581682 (LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo)

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 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.

Condition:

Media: Mint (M)

Sleeve: Mint (M)

Track List: 

A1. Stepping Into Tomorrow 5:11
A2. Design A Nation 4:19
A3. We're Together 4:23
A4. Think Twice 6:10
B1. Makin' It 3:45
B2. Rock And Roll Again 6:09
B3. You Are The World 4:29
B4. I Love The Girl 3:53