The Blackbyrds
Action
Written-By – Toney, Saunders
3:47
A2 Lookin' Ahead
Written-By – Kevin Toney
5:30
A3 Mysterious Vibes
Written-By – Keith Killgo
4:46
A4 Something Special
Written-By – Keith Killgo
4:43
B1 Street Games
Written-By – Kevin Toney
4:45
B2 Soft And Easy
Written-By – Orville Saunders
4:25
B3 Dreaming About You
Written-By – Kevin Toney
5:49
Label: Fantasy – F-9535
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Jazz-Funk, Soul, Funk
Released in 1977 on Fantasy Records, Action by The Blackbyrds is a critically regarded, smooth jazz-funk album produced by Donald Byrd, offering a more polished, laid-back sound compared to their earlier, harder funk works. It features standout tracks like "Mysterious Vibes" and "Supernatural Feeling," showcasing high-level musicianship and a spacey, mellow atmosphere that bridges 70s soul and jazz-funk.
Produced by Donald Byrd, the album also features contributions from notable musicians like Ray Parker Jr. on guitar. Action leans into a smoother, almost yacht-rock-adjacent jazz-funk, featuring lush production, synthesizers, and relaxed tempos.
The track "Mysterious Vibes" is widely cited as the album's masterpiece, a "slow jazzy stepper" frequently sampled in hip-hop. Other notable tracks include "Supernatural Feeling," "Soft & Easy," and "Dreaming About You".
While sometimes overshadowed by their earlier, more intense funk albums, Action is considered a refined, "under the radar" classic by many listeners. It is praised for its high-quality, 70s-era production, though some listeners may find it less energetic than previous efforts.
Often highlighted as a quintessential album for fans of 1970s jazz-funk, with some reviewers suggesting it as a definitive, must-own record for the band.
Reviewers often compare the album's ethereal sound to Earth, Wind & Fire or late-'70s Kool & The Gang, blending jazz musicality with proto-disco R&B. The album maintains strong community ratings, averaging roughly 4.3 to 4.5 out of 5 stars on collector platforms like Discogs.
The Blackbyrds
Bass – David Williams
Percussion – Ray Armando
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Oscar Brashear
Written-By – Donald Byrd 5:27
A2 Gut Level
Written-By – Lincoln Ross 4:08
A3 Reggins
Bass – David Williams
Percussion – Ray Armando
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Oscar Brashear
Written-By – Larry Mizell 4:05
A4 The Runaway
Bass – David Williams
Percussion – Ray Armando
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Oscar Brashear
Written-By – Donald Byrd, Kevin Toney 4:13
B1 Funky Junkie
Written-By – Donald Byrd 7:01
B2 Summer Love
Written-By – Allan Barnes 5:08
B3 Life Styles
Bass – David Williams
Percussion – Ray Armando
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Oscar Brashear
Written-By – Larry Mizell 3:13
B4 A Hot Day Today
Written-By – Barney Perry, Donald Byrd 3:16
Label: Fantasy – F-9444
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Jazz, Soul
Style: Jazz-Funk, Funk
The Blackbyrds' self-titled 1974 debut album on Fantasy Records (F-9444) is considered a classic and enduring jazz-funk masterpiece that successfully bridges the gap between pure jazz and accessible funk and soul. Produced by jazz legend Donald Byrd, the album is highly regarded for its tight musicianship and infectious grooves.
Critics and fans praise the album for its sublime mix of jazzy rhythms and soulful elements, highlighting the tight production and the band's instrumental prowess. The album has a "beautifully put-together feel" and is often cited as some of the finest groove-oriented jazz music ever recorded.
The record is a seminal example of 1970s jazz-funk fusion, blending R&B, soul, and funk with a jazz pedigree. The band, composed of Howard University students mentored by Donald Byrd, is noted for its tight, professional sound that is both technically proficient and full of energy.
While later albums had bigger hits, this debut was foundational, influencing British funk bands like Light of the World and Hi-Tension, and setting the stage for the group's future success.
Overall, The Blackbyrds is regarded as a brilliant and enduring debut that perfectly captures the optimism and rhythm of 1970s urban music. It successfully bridges the gap between serious jazz improvisation and popular, danceable funk. The album is widely considered a must-listen for fans of funk, soul, and jazz fusion, and is a key piece of the Blackbyrds' legacy.