Lonnie Liston Smith Cosmic Funk (1974)

A real gem from Lonnie Liston Smith's early years in the studio - and a record that's perhaps a bit more "cosmic" than it is "funk" – but that's why we like it so much! The session has Lonnie stretching out a bit more than usual – borrowing some of the righteousness from his years with Pharoah Sanders, and tripping out on tracks that revel in their own spacey brilliance. Lonnie plays both acoustic and electric piano on the record – stretching out on some Impulse-influenced grooves that feature some great soprano sax and flute from the lesser-known George Barron. Titles include the soulful "Beautiful Woman", the ethereal "Sais", and the heavier groover "Cosmic Funk" – plus great versions of Wayne Shorter's "Footprints" and John Coltrane's "Naima"

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1. Cosmic Funk 

2. Footprints

3. Beautiful Woman

4. Sais (Egypt)

5. Peaceful One

6. Naima

Curtis Counce - You Get More Bounce With Courtis Counce (1957)

Although the title and even the cover photo have been changed, this CD reissue has the same music as was earlier issued as Counceltation; the "bonus cut" "Woody 'n You" has also been reissued on Sonority. In any case, the program features the underrated but talented Curtis Counce Quintet of 1956-1957, a group consisting of the bassist/leader, trumpeter Jack Sheldon, tenor saxophonist Harold Land, pianist Carl Perkins, and drummer Frank Butler. Counce contributed two originals but otherwise the band sticks to jazz standards, with some of the best moments being on "Too Close for Comfort," "Mean to Me," and Charlie Parker's "Big Foot."

1. Complete

2. How Deep Is The Ocean

3. Too Close For Comfort

4. Mean To Me

5. Stranger In Paradise

6. Counceltation

7. Big Foot

8. Woody 'n You

Curtis Counce (b) Carl Perkins (p) Harold Land (ts) Jack Sheldon (tp) Frank Butler (d)