| | Donald Byrd Caricatures CD Donald Byrd Discography of CDs
 (4 Customer Reviews)
One of his last efforts with the Mizell production team was definitely not his most critically acclaimed, but Caricatures continued Byrd's commercial winning streak that started years previous with 1969's Kofi and such '70s Blue Note classics as Places and Spaces, Black Byrd, and Street Lady. His last release for the label was no exception to the formula set forth from the previously mentioned albums. One of Caricatures strongest features is the level of musicianship from start to finish. Byrd recruited some of the top '70s soul-jazz musicians, such as Gary Bartz, Alphonse Mouzon, David T Walker, and future '80s R&B hitmaker Patrice Rushen, to help complement the musicianship laid down by Byrd and the Mizell brothers. The atmosphere is light and soulful, with musicians bouncing off one another for ideas that shift closer towards R&B while maintaining a sense of jazz ideals. While there is no truly memorable anthemic release or hit to speak of, Caricatures serves its primary purpose of being a jazz fusion record to make both people dance and purists wince at the notion that jazz can fuse with other elements and achieve success. ~ Rob Theakston
Kay Haith (vocals); Gary Bartz, Ernie Watts (saxophone); Fonce Mizell (trumpet, keyboards); Oscar Brashear (trumpet); George Bohannon (trombone); Patrice Rushen, Jerry Peters, Skip Scarborough (keyboards); John Rowin, David T. Walker, Bernard "Beloyd" Taylor (guitar); James Jameson, Scott Edwards (bass); Harvey Mason, Alphonse Mouzon (drums); Stephanie Spruill, Mayuto Carrea (percussion).
This is part of Blue Note Records "Rare Groove" series.
Rare Groove Series
Recorded at Sound Factory Studios, Hollywood, California between April & May 1976.
Personnel: Donald Byrd (vocals, trumpet, flugelhorn, background vocals); Kay Haith, Mildred Lane (vocals); David T. Walker, John Rowin, Bernard Taylor (guitar); Ernie Watts, Gary Bartz (saxophone, horns); Fonce Mizell (trumpet, horns, keyboards, background vocals); Oscar Brashear (trumpet, horns); George Bohannon (trombone, horns); Jerry Peters, Patrice Rushen, Skip Scarborough (keyboards); Harvey Mason, Sr. , Alphonse Mouzon (drums); Mayuto Correa, Stephanie Spruill (percussion); Theresa Mitchell, Larry Mizell, Vernessa Mitchell (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Jim Nipar.
Recording information: Hollywood, CA (04/1976-05/1976); Sound Factory, Hollywood, CA (04/1976-05/1976).
Arrangers: Fonce Mizell; Larry Mizell.
Personnel: Donald Byrd (vocals, trumpet, flugelhorn); Mildred Lane,
Mojo (Publisher) (7/03, p.124) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...The musicianship is impeccable....The bass-heavy rhythms are beaty and bouncy throughout..." Caricatures Music | List Price | $11.98 (You save $3.09) | | Category | Rock/Pop Albums, R&B CDs, Jazz Instrument, Funk, Trumpet, Jazz | | Label | Blue Note | | Orig Year | 1976 | | All Time Sales Rank |  52974  | | CD Universe Part number | 5774133 | | Catalog number | 80732 | | Discs | 1 | | Release Date | Apr 22, 2003 | | Studio/Live | Studio | | Mono/Stereo | Stereo | | Producer | Fonce Mizell; Larry Mizell; Michael Cuscuna (Reissue) | | Engineer | Jim Nipar; Serge Reyes | | Personnel | Oscar Brashear - trumpet
George Bohannon - trombone
Donald Byrd - vocals, trumpet, flugelhorn
Jerry Peters
Stephanie Spruill - percussion
Scott Edwards - bass
Skip Scarborough - keyboards
John Rowin
Fonce Mizell - trumpet, keyboards
James Jameson
Bernard "Beloyd" Taylor - guitar
Mildred Lane - vocals
Also: Ernie Watts, Harvey Mason, David T. Walker, Patrice Rushen, Gary Bartz, Alphonse Mouzon, Larry Mizell, Kay Haith, Mayuto Correa, Vernessa Mitchell, Theresa Mitchell |
Donald Byrd Caricatures Songs Caricatures Music Review Average Rating: (3 out of 5 stars)   hav'nt played it much yet but -
hav'nt played it much yet but - not as good as expected, does not compare to his greats such as "wind parade", "change" etc. Perhaps it will grow on me in time.
Submitted by a reviewer (birches head, england) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
A MUST HAVE TO COMPLETE THE MIZELL-PRODUCTION ALBUMS!
I HAVE THE ALBUM AND I HAVE 4 TRACKS THAT I THINK ARE VERY GOOD:TRACK 7 THE BEST.2,6 AND 8.
Submitted by RONALD (OLIVE BRANCH,MS,USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Disco Byrd
Following 1975's wildly successful 'Places & Spaces', the stage was set for Byrd to continue the jazz/ r&b fusion ride he'd been on for four years; instead he tries to follow the growing late 70's disco trend and contributes this lame and forgettable effort. Though 'Dance Band' was dancefloor worthy and 'Wild Life' has the sound of a disco anthem, this is not legitimate disco- it's fake! The 'Dancing In The Streets' remake is actually better than the original and along with 'Onward 'Til Morning' (the album's best song and most reminiscent of his prior 70's work), are the record's most listenable tracks. Really, unfortunately, everyone can, pretty much, skip this one.
Submitted by St. Davey (Windham, Me.)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No  Classic Donald Byrd
I purchased this lp when it was on wax years ago. It is a wonderful compilation by Donald Byrd that showcases his talent on varied types of songs from mellow (Tell Me) to wild and fluid(Dance Band. I highly recommend the purchase, especially at this price.
Submitted by a reviewer (Atlanta Georgia)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
| Have you heard this album? |  |
Purchase Caricatures CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart | Joe Simon Get Down CD (1975)
Caricatures
 $12.59 
| | Gino Vannelli Storm At Sunup CD (1978)
Caricatures
$6.35 
| | Gino Vannelli Pauper In Paradise CD (1978)
Caricatures
$6.59 
| | Average White Band Soul Searching CD (1976)
Caricatures
$7.59
| | JB's Food For Thought CD (1972)
Caricatures
$20.95
| | December Band At Moose Lodge Hall, Vol. 2 CD (1999)
Caricatures
$12.09
| | Man And A Half: Best Of Wilson Pickett CDs (1992)
Caricatures
$12.25
This set collects material from one of the pre-eminent soul shouters of the 60's, Wilson "Wicked" Pickett.
Pickett began singing in churches in his teens, eventually deciding to follow the path of Sam Cooke and other gospel singers who crossed over into the pop market. First with the Falcons and then solo, he honed his astonishingly powerful singing style in recordings he made with musicians from the Stax label and the Muscle Shoals studio. He had huge hits with "Mustang Sally," "Land Of 1000 Dances," and his masterpiece, "In The Midnight Hour."
For anyone but session-counting completists, A MAN AND A HALF should serve as the be-all, end-all Wilson Pickett collection. With two discs, 44 tracks, musical support from Memphis and Muscle Shoals session players, and songs by numerous fellow luminaries (including Steve Cropper, Don Covay, Eddie Floyd, Isaac Hayes, and Bobby Womack), this set brings together some of the finest soul sides recorded in the 20th century. Of course, it is Wicked Pickett's riveting, gravel-filled voice that makes it all happen.
Arranged chronologically, A MAN AND A HALF begins with "I Found a Love" (a 1961 single from Pickett's first band, the Falcons) and ends with a live version of "Funky Broadway" (performed at a '71 concert in Ghana). In between are such unassailable classics as the chugging "Mustang Sally," the call-and-response dance anthem "Land of 1000 Dances," and the soulster's signature tune--"In the Midnight Hour." The set is devoid of filler; the non-hit singles ...
| | Extreme Prejudice CD (1987) Original Soundtrack
Caricatures
$13.79
| | Bob Hamilton Wixwax CD (2007)
$13.85 | | Pirates Shakin At The Beeb: Complete BBC Sessions 1976-78 CD (2007) (Import)
Caricatures
$28.89
| | Sesame Street Silly Songs CD (2004)
Caricatures
$8.79
|
|
|
buttons below to play song samples
Adobe Flash
Email a Friend
