''City Life'' is the third studio album by the American
rhythm and blues and jazz-funk fusion group
the Blackbyrds. It was produced by
Donald Byrd
Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II (December 9, 1932 – February 4, 2013) was an American jazz and rhythm & blues trumpeter and vocalist. A sideman for many other jazz musicians of his generation, Byrd was one of the few hard bop m ...
and includes the popular singles "Happy Music" and "Rock Creek Park." "Happy Music" was first given a limited released as a six-minute remix on 12-inch vinyl for club deejays, then in early 1976 was released on standard 7-inch vinyl. "Rock Creek Park" has been sampled repeatedly by
hip hop musicians.
Track listing
#"Rock Creek Park" (Joe Hall, Keith Killgo,
Kevin Toney
Kevin Kraig Toney is an American jazz pianist and composer who was a member of The Blackbyrds.
Biography
A native of Detroit, he graduated from Cass Technical High School. In his teens he listened to the music of John Coltrane and Art Tatum. He at ...
, Orville Saunders, Stephen Johnson) 4:35
#"Thankful 'Bout Yourself" (Orville Saunders) 5:11
#"City Life" (Kevin Toney) 5:22
#"All I Ask" (Kevin Toney) 3:50
#"Happy Music" (
Donald Byrd
Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II (December 9, 1932 – February 4, 2013) was an American jazz and rhythm & blues trumpeter and vocalist. A sideman for many other jazz musicians of his generation, Byrd was one of the few hard bop m ...
) 4:32
#"Love So Fine" (Joe Hall) 5:00
#"Flying High" (Keith Killgo) 3:29
#"Hash and Eggs" (
Fonce Mizell,
Larry Mizell) 5:06
Personnel
*
Donald Byrd
Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II (December 9, 1932 – February 4, 2013) was an American jazz and rhythm & blues trumpeter and vocalist. A sideman for many other jazz musicians of his generation, Byrd was one of the few hard bop m ...
– trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals
*Joe Hall – bass
*Keith Killgo – drums
*Orville Saunders – guitar
*
Kevin Toney
Kevin Kraig Toney is an American jazz pianist and composer who was a member of The Blackbyrds.
Biography
A native of Detroit, he graduated from Cass Technical High School. In his teens he listened to the music of John Coltrane and Art Tatum. He at ...
– keyboards
*Stephen Johnson – saxophone
*Merry Clayton – vocals ("Happy Music")
Charts
Album
Singles
References
External links
The Blackbyrds-City Life at DiscogsThe Blackbyrds-Billboard Albums at AllMusicThe Blackbyrds-Billboard Singles at AllMusic
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1975 albums
The Blackbyrds albums
Fantasy Records albums
Jazz-funk albums