The Blackbyrds: City Life (180g, Jazz Dispensary Top Shelf) Vinyl LP

"A good groove never goes out of style. We’re honored to unveil the newest release in our Top Shelf series: 1975’s City Life, from the legendary jazz-funk ensemble, The Blackbyrds. Arriving May 30th, the chart-topping album features classics like the effervescent 'Happy Music,' and the group’s heavily sampled signature hit, 'Rock Creek Park.' In celebration of the album’s golden anniversary, this reissue returns City Life to vinyl in style, with all-analog mastering by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, 180-gram vinyl pressed at RTI, and a gatefold tip-on jacket. Released in November 1975, City Life features an array of musical shades—from the pop-forward 'Happy Music' and the balladry of 'Love So Fine,' to the funky soul of the Mizell-brothers-penned 'Hash and Eggs' and the smooth-as-silk 'Flying High.' Throughout, the musicians’ unity as an ensemble is undeniable—particularly as they jam through selections like 'Thankful ‘Bout Yourself' and 'City Life.' The true standout track on the album, however, is 'Rock Creek Park.' The bouncy track remains a signature hit for The Blackbyrds, while it has been sampled over the decades by dozens of artists—from trip-hop pioneers like Massive Attack ('Blue Lines') to such legendary names in rap and hip-hop as De La Soul ('The Art of Getting Jumped'), Nas ('Get Down'), NWA ('Quiet on Tha Set'), and Eric B. & Rakim ('The R')." - Craft Recordings

• 180g black vinyl pressing
• Jazz Dispensary Top Shelf series
• all-analog remaster from the original tapes
  
• housed in tip-on gatefold jacket
• original release year: 1975
• music label: Craft Recordings 2025