Cosmic Funk

A standout from Lonnie Liston Smith's formative studio period – a record that transcends its "funk" label with genuinely cosmic ambitions. Here, Lonnie ventures beyond his usual territory, channeling the spiritual depth of his Pharoah Sanders collaborations into spacey, transcendent grooves. Switching between acoustic and electric piano, he navigates Impulse-influenced arrangements enriched by George Barron's luminous soprano sax and flute work. The tracklist spans from the soulful "Beautiful Woman" and shimmering "Sais" to the propulsive title track, alongside inspired readings of Wayne Shorter's "Footprints" and Coltrane's "Naima" – a collection that rewards repeated listening.