The Archive

Hand picked records important to the history of Soul Strut.

The Blackbyrds - The Blackbyrds

  • The Blackbyrds

    The Blackbyrds LP (1974)

    Fantasy

Ranked #181 in the Soul Strut 200

Debut from Donald Byrd's cast of Howard University understudies.  The Blackbyrds came on to the scene in the mid 70s meshing sleazy funk grooves with the slickness of smooth jazz, a sound that can be credited to super producer Larry Mizell.  1974's The Blackbyrds stands out as a gold mine for golden era hip hop samples with cuts like "Runaway" , "Reggins", and the party starter "Do It, Fluid."  The band would later refine their sound for the radio enjoying considerable commercial success with tracks like "Walking in Rhythm" and "Happy Music".


Related Threads

YOUR TOP 50 ALBNUMS OF ALL TIME

WORD TO DONALD BYRD (RIP)

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE DONALD BYRD?



Suggested Music