Donald Byrd - Stepping Into Tomorrow: Blue Note Classic (180g Vinyl LP)

Blue Note Classic Vinyl Reissue Series Edition of Donald Byrd's Stepping Into Tomorrow on All-Analog 180g LP. Mastered by Kevin Gray Directly from the Original Master Tapes and Manufactured at Optimal in Germany.

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.

This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

Musicians:
Donald Byrd - trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals
Gary Bartz - alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet
James Carter - whistler on "Rock and Roll Again"
Mayuto Correa - congas
Margie Evans, Kay Haith, Freddie Perren - background vocals
Fonce Mizell - trumpet, clarinet, background vocals
Jerry Peters - organ, piano
John Rowzin, David T. Walker - guitar
Larry Mizell - Fender Rhodes, ARP synthesizers, background vocals
Chuck Rainey - bass
Harvey Mason - drums, bata drums
Roger Sainte - percussion
Ronghea Souther - guitar on "Think Twice"
Stephanie Spruill - percussion, background vocals

Features:
• Blue Note Classic Vinyl Reissue Series
• All Analog 180g Stereo Vinyl LP
• Mastered by Kevin Gray Directly From the Original Master Tapes
• Manufactured at Optimal in Germany