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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..."
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? YesNo
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? YesNo
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? YesNo
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? YesNo
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hav'nt played it much yet but -
Classic Donald Byrd
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