Flying Start (album)

Flying Start
File:Flying start cover.jpg
Studio album by The Blackbyrds
Released	November 1974
Recorded	August to October 1974
Studio	Sound Factory (Hollywood)
Genre	Soul, Jazz Funk, Jazz Fusion
Length	38:30
Label	Fantasy
Producer	Donald Byrd
The Blackbyrds chronology
The Blackbyrds (1974) Flying Start (1974) City Life (1975)

Professional ratings

Review scores
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Flying Start is the second album by the American rhythm and blues and jazz-funk fusion group The Blackbyrds. Produced by Donald Byrd, the album includes the top ten hit single, "Walking in Rhythm".

Track listing

Credits taken from original LP liner notes.

Side One

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"I Need You"	Donald Byrd, Cheryl Toney	5:30
2.	"The Baby"	Byrd	5:17
3.	"Love Is Love"	Keith Killgo	4:46
4.	"Blackbyrds' Theme"	Joe Hall, Allan Barnes, Kevin Toney	4:03

Side Two

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
5.	"Walking in Rhythm"	Barney Perry	4:13
6.	"Furture Children, Future Hopes"	K. Toney	4:41
7.	"April Showers"	Barnes	3:49
8.	"Spaced Out"	K. Toney	6:11

Personnel

The Blackbyrds

• Allan Barnes – Vocals on "Blackbyrds' Theme" and "Walking in Rhythm", Flute, Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
• Kevin Toney – Vocals on "Blackbyrds' Theme" and "Walking in Rhythm", Acoustic and Electric Piano, Clavinet, ARP Synthesizer
• Barney Perry – Vocals on "Blackbyrds' Theme" and "Walking in Rhythm", Guitar
• Joe Hall – Vocals on "Blackbyrds' Theme" and "Walking in Rhythm", Bass
• Keith Killgo – Lead Vocals on "I Need You", Vocals on "Blackbyrds' Theme" and "Walking in Rhythm", Drums
• Perk Jacobs – Vocals on "Blackbyrds' Theme" and "Walking in Rhythm", Percussion

Additional Personnel

• Bobby Bryant – Trumpet
• Oscar Brashear – Trumpet
• Alexander Thomas – Trombone
• George Bohanon – Trombone
• Jackie Kelso – Baritone Saxophone
• Ernie Watts – Tenor Saxophone on "I Need You"
• Sigidi – Vocals on "Blackbyrds' Theme" and "Walking in Rhythm"
• Bruce Fisher – Vocals on "Walking in Rhythm"
• Keith Barbour – Lead Vocals on "April Showers"

Charts

Album

Year	Chart	Position
1975	U.S. Album Chart	30
1975	Top R&B/Black Albums	5
1975	Jazz Albums	2

Single

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1975	"Walking in Rhythm"	Billboard Hot 100	6
1975	"Walking in Rhythm"	Hot Soul Singles	4
1975	"Walking in Rhythm"	Easy Listening	5

External links

• The Blackbyrds-Flying Start at Discogs
• The Blackbyrds-Billboard Albums at AllMusic
• The Blackbyrds-Billboard Singles at AllMusic