Lonnie Smith
Afro-Desia
24,00 €
Tax included
Release
LP
SKU : MRBLP297
Description
Originally released in 1975, this much-loved album was produced by Groove Merchant label owner Sonny Lester.
Considering Smith was part of George Benson’s quartet in the ‘60s, that not so discreet veil appears to have been lifted on who this ‘friend’ might be. However, presumably due to contractual reasons, Benson had to remain covert for this recording. The lineup doesn’t stop there though, with the likes of legendary bassist Ron Carter and Grammy award winning saxophonist Joe Lavano joining the outfit.
An album of two parts, the first side sees Lonnie Smith in a spaced-out, cosmic jazz funk setting. The opener "Afrodesia" is a funk flexing, steamy groover. Greg Hopkins and Lavano trading off on trumpet and sax respectively, as that bassline walks its way over fluttering jazz
percussion and off-kilter electronics. "Spirits Free" is an epic 15-minute free-wheeling jazz-funk workout. A mind melting trip that rises and falls, in parts spacey and serene, with Smith’s organ playing complimented by stretched out horns. Before long it opens out into unconstrained fluid
sections that do its title proud. Pure ‘70s jazz-funk at its most stellar.
Tracklist
1. Afrodesia
2. Spirits Free
3. Straight To The Point
4. Favors
5. The Awakening
2. Spirits Free
3. Straight To The Point
4. Favors
5. The Awakening
