{"product_id":"donald-byrd-stepping-into-tomorrow-lp-blue-note-classic-vinyl-series","title":"Donald Byrd - Stepping Into Tomorrow LP (Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDonald Byrd\u003c\/strong\u003e’s 1974 fusion masterpiece \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eStepping Into Tomorrow\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e 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\u0026amp;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 \u003cem\u003eFancy Free\u003c\/em\u003e and shadowed Miles Davis early-1970s moves with experimental sessions like \u003cem\u003eElectric Byrd\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eEthiopian Knights\u003c\/em\u003e. When Byrd hooked up with visionary producer \u003cstrong\u003eLarry Mizell\u003c\/strong\u003e for his landmark 1972 album \u003cem\u003eBlack Byrd\u003c\/em\u003e 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 \u003cem\u003eStepping Into Tomorrow\u003c\/em\u003e 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 \u003cstrong\u003eGary Bartz\u003c\/strong\u003e, multi-instrumentalist\/vocalist \u003cstrong\u003eFonce Mizell\u003c\/strong\u003e, bassist \u003cstrong\u003eChuck Rainey\u003c\/strong\u003e, drummer \u003cstrong\u003eHarvey Mason\u003c\/strong\u003e \u0026amp; others.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by \u003cstrong\u003eKevin Gray\u003c\/strong\u003e from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTracklist:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eA1 Stepping Into Tomorrow\u003cbr\u003eA2 Design A Nation\u003cbr\u003eA3 We're Together\u003cbr\u003eA4 Think Twice\u003cbr\u003eB1 Makin' It\u003cbr\u003eB2 Rock And Roll Again\u003cbr\u003eB3 You Are The World\u003cbr\u003eB4 I Love The Girl\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blue Note Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47698043142366,"sku":"00602465816822‬","price":27.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0638\/2659\/1966\/files\/DonaldByrd-SteppingIntoTomorrowLP_BlueNoteClassicVinylSeries_f5a1cf03-15e9-4da1-8cea-a9ed3349b889.png?v=1763690333","url":"https:\/\/checkout.complex.com\/products\/donald-byrd-stepping-into-tomorrow-lp-blue-note-classic-vinyl-series","provider":"COMPLEX","version":"1.0","type":"link"}