[DAMAGED] Donald Byrd - Stepping Into Tomorrow [Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series]

***All of these copies have dinged corners, seam splits or bent jackets***

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 throughout 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 such as 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 such as 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 180-gram vinyl at Optimal.

Format / LP
Released / 07/18/2025
Catalogue / ABLU-69858
Barcode / 602465816822D
Artist / Donald Byrd 
Label / Blue Note Records
Genre / Jazz