Action is the fifth studio album by American R&B/jazz-fusion band the Blackbyrds, released in 1977 on Fantasy Records. The album peaked at No. 43 on the US Billboard Top Pop LPs chart and No. 8 on the US Billboard Top Soul LPs chart. It has also been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

Critical reception

Ed Hogan reviewed the album for AllMusic in a somewhat positive light. He said, "If you had to own only one album by the Blackbyrds then Action should be it." He reasoned that "all the elements came together for the Donald Byrd protégés" and he singled out "Supernatural Feeling" for its wise lyrics as well as "Something Special" and "Dreaming About You" for their smooth jazz feel.

Band members' thoughts Drummer Keith Killgo briefly referenced the album during a 2022 interview with East of the River News when recounting the band's history. "I would have to say that 'Soft and Easy' is my favorite song out of all the Blackbyrds compositions. It is a ballad but then it is really not. I love 'Mysterious Vibes' too."

Track listing

Personnel

The Blackbyrds Kevin Toney – acoustic piano and ARP synthesizers Keith Killgo – drums Joe Hall – bass Orville Saunders – guitar Stephen Johnson – saxophone with: Ernie Watts – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone Ray Parker, Jr. – guitar Ollie Brown – vocals (with the Block Boys Orchestra), drums, percussion Eddie "Bongo" Brown – congas David Shields – bass Donald Byrd – trumpet The Block Boys Orchestra singers (Jim Gilstrap, John Lehman, Roy Galloway, Bill Threadford, Ollie Brown, Ronnie Mayez) – vocals

Production Phil Carroll – art direction Gerald Panopolous – photography Lance Anderson – design Wade Marcus – arranging and conducting George Bohanon – horn contractor Charles Veal, Jr. – concertmaster and string contractor Jim Nipar – recording and remix engineer Serge Reyes – assistant engineer Mike Reese – engineer

Charts

Album Chart (1977)PeakpositionUS Billboard Top LPs43US Top Soul LPs8

Singles

YearSingleChartPosition1977"Soft and Easy"Hot Soul Singles201978"Supernatural Feeling"Hot Soul Singles19

References