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