I reviewed this today, playing it from an Oppo UDP-205 player, direct–analog to a Marantz AVR-8500.
First and foremost with this reissue is the stunning mastering job of Michael Dutton, which once again brings a formally seldom heard quadraphonic experience back to life again. It’s hard to believe that this title has ever been heard with such clarity; none better than this on 4.0 SACD. With all the quadraphonic titles Dutton Vocalion has brought back into modern light; it’s easy to become complacent about the level of riches we’re being afforded. Other companies have come and gone, but right now the musical legacy of various styles offered to us in quadraphonic by Dutton Vocalion is unmatched anywhere.
This is the kind of music that really gets my juices flowing; it can’t really be pegged into a certain style or even two for that matter. Black Byrd has an amalgamation of Jazz, Funk, Soul, Pop and Rock... I believe anyone into an eclectic mix of styles such as this will love this album as much as I do.
The liner notes details some of the musical road map for Donald Byrd; and what strikes me the most is hearing the music from my perspective of the players on this album. I mainly here a style that I heard on the Lou Donaldson album
“Sassy Soul Strut” (Q8); which Donald having played with Lou on a few albums in the late 1950’s seems to have had an influence on Mr. Byrd. Also playing prominently on this title are some members of the Crusaders; Joe Sample, Wilton Felder and David T. Walker. Anyone familiar with the Crusaders’ sound should hear a good dose of that here also. And finally, for me, it’s important to note one the greatest session guitarists around in Dean Parks (on a couple tracks.) His list of
credits is massive, and any Steely Dan fans should know his name quite well.
This has some great guest musicians on it that I’m familiar with, including:
Joe Sample – pianos
Dean Parks – electric guitar
Wilton Felder & Chuck Rainey– bass guitar
Harvey Mason – drums
David T. Walker - Guitar
Here’s the discogs page:
discogs
Here’s the current Dutton Vocalion page:
Black Byrd SACD HYBRID
This release can also be played on a regular CD player in stereo.
Ratings:
Packaging: 10% (of 10%)
5%- Form & Function (Ease of access to its contents, appropriate size & secure storage.)
{Typical}
5%- Value (Extra contents considered- value added or excess trinkets.)
{Very Good/Excellent – Good info in liner notes by Charles Waring with Musician credits.}
Audio Fidelity: 30% (of 30%)
10%- Perceived Dynamic Range (Sounding loud / bothersome, clarity & quietness.)
{Very Good}
10%- Equalization (Balance across the frequency range appropriate for the music.)
{Very Good}
10% (of 10) Production qualities (Studio Production / live recording.) & Mastering.
{VERY GOOD/EXCELLENT – I don’t believe we’ll ever hear this any better!}
Surround Mix: 30% (of 30%)
10%- Degree of Discreteness between all channels (Level of ambience overall.)
{Very Good}
10%- Spatial Definition (How each note is projected to a defined point in the room.)
{Very Good}
10%- Instruments, Sound Effects and Vocals (evaluating instrument placement and levels)
{Very Good}
Content: 25% (of 30%)
15%- Does the music make you feel something (heartfelt, excitable, somber, self-reflective?)
{Very Satisfied}
10%- Overall quality of the music (How many songs resonate with you overall?)
{Satisfied – minus 5% for some vocal performances which I feel could have been stronger.}
Total 95%= Vote is rounded up to a 10.
review....and going ALL hoity toity analogue on us! I likewise voted a 10. Exceptional album and remaster! 
