Sounds Good, Looks Good...

Welcome to Mark Barry's Review Blog - SOUNDS GOOD, LOOKS GOOD... It features in-depth reviews for Quality CD Reissues and Remasters - all with Discography Info (six times Amazon 'Hall of Fame' Reviewer). With over 2,600 posts - genres covered include Rock, Pop, Soul, Funk, Jazz Fusion, Blues, Rhythm 'n' Blues, Doo Wop, Vocal Groups, 1960s and 1970s, Prog, Psych, Folk, Blues-Rock, Goth, Punk, New Wave, 1980s, Reggae and more. I also review FILMS, TV Shows, BLU RAYS and BOOKS. Enjoy the reads...

Showing posts with label Ace/Beat Goes Public. Show all posts

Saturday 30 November 2019

"Gears/Forever Taurus" by JOHNNY HAMMOND – Albums from 1975 and 1976 on Milestone Records featuring Larry and Fonce Mizell, Chuck Rainey, Wade and Ralph Marcus with Harvey Mason and Sonny Burke (October 1992 Ace/Beat Goes Public Reissue – 2LPs onto 1CD - Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Shifting Gears…"

When Soul morphed into Funk - which the old-world Jazz musicians then blended into Jazz Fusion - the berets of Jazz purists fell to the floor in disgust and dismay - but the heart rates of Dancers around the globe got with the groove and shouted "Hallelujah!" I was one of those giddy groovers...

I've never been a Jazz purist myself (can't stand that crap) but between 1973 and 1975 particularly - Rock/Soul guys like me were looking for something new and Jazz Fusion/Funk caught our attention. Quality musicians that stretched back as far as the late Fifties like trumpeter Donald Byrd, multi-instrumentalist Herbie Hancock and keyboardist Johnny Hammond (Smith) embraced the Funk and threw out absolutely fabulous albums on labels like CTI, BSF, Kudo, Blue Note and Milestone.

Hammond's legendary "Gears" album from 1975 (with superb Larry and Fonce Mizell songs and Production) and it's 1976 follow-up "Forever Taurus" (with heavy Wade and Ralph Marcus involvement) are from that ilk - and they've been cherished Jazz-Funk-Fusion LPs for collectors since their release on Milestone Records in the USA four decades ago. And that's where this amazing twofer/value for money BGP CD comes in.

Here are the Cosmic Voyager details...

UK released October 1992 – "Gears/Forever Taurus" by JOHNNY HAMMOND on Ace/Beat Goes Public CDBGPD 037 (Barcode 029667273725) offers 2LPs from 1975 and 1976 originally on Milestone Records Remastered onto 1CD (in 1992) that pans out as follows (74:22 minutes):

1. Tell Me What To Do [Side 1]

2. Los Conquistadores Chocolates

3. Lost On 23rd Street

4. Fantasy [Side 2]

5. Shifting Gears

6. Can't We Smile

Tracks 1 to 6 are the album "Gears" - released November 1975 in the USA on Milestone M-9062

7. Old Devil Moon [Side 1]

8. Countdown

9. Walk In Sunshine

10. Ghetto Samba

11. Cosmic Voyager [Side 2]

12. My Ship

13. Winds Of Change

14. Forever Taurus

Tracks 7 to 14 are the album "Forever Taurus" - released 1976 in the USA on Milestone M-9068

"Tell Me What To Do" has been featured on more Jazz Fusion/Rare Groove compilations than you can shake a stick at - and hardly surprising - what a winner. Its vocal set-up reminds me of Donald Byrd's masterpiece "Places And Spaces (also from late 1975) - another Mizell Brothers involvement. These guys seemed to funkify everyone and everything they touched - modernising their sound and that's what you get with "Gears". The wind and Spanish jabbering that begins "Los Conquistadores Chocolates" soon succumbs to frantic drums, flute and bass - but when it hits about 2 minutes in - the strings and vibes begin and the result is very special indeed. Side One ends with the mellow "Lost On 23rd Street" - with those strange synth flourishes behind that Stevie Wonder clavinet beat.

Side 2 opens with probably everyone's fave - the funky "Fantasy" (co-written by Hammond and the Mizell Brothers). Gorgeous guitar flicks mingle with strings and again those groove vocals while Chuck Rainey on Bass and Harvey Mason on Drums - punch out that that amazing rhythm section. Slap bass opens "Shifting Gears" - soon joined by wah-wah guitar and hip flute flourishes - it's always been my poison on the album (can't resist that funky groove). It ends on the mellow "Can't We Smile" where initial Crusaders-like piano morphs into spacey keyboard warbles and Jean Luc-Ponty type violin soloing.

"Forever Taurus" moved away from the Mizell brothers to the combo of Wade and Ralph Marcus along with a raft of hugely accomplished sessionmen like Trumpeter Chuck Findley, Saxophonist Jack Nimitz and Keyboard whizz Sonny Burke. Wade Marcus provided tunes in the shape of "Countdown", "Ghetto Samba" and "Winds Of Change" while Hammond stumped up "Walk In Sunshine", "Cosmic Voyager" and "Forever Taurus". Hammond's keyboard-funky covers of the standard "Old Devil Moon" and Gershwin's "My Ship" rounded out proceedings very nicely indeed.

A pair of vinyl sweeties - and its testament to their enduring appeal that even after 28 years in the marketplace (2020) - this British-issued Ace/Beat Goes Public twofer CD stills sells for full price and more...

Wednesday 11 September 2019

"Horn Rock & Funky Guitar Grooves 1968-1974" by VARIOUS (26 July 2019 Ace/BGP CD Compilation - Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Toe Hold..."

I love a compilation like this - clever choices - great sound - discoveries. I'll even forgive the rather uninspiring artwork because those sexy bearded men with non-arthritic knees and disturbingly alluring butt wiggles over at Ace Records (using their Beat Goes Public label imprint) have only gone and done my nut it again.

This is a wickedly good single CD vaults-trawl that even sports an unissued nugget from Texan Donnie Brooks very much in the early Blood, Sweat & Tears vs. Chicago vein and a no-one knows-nothing-about recording from Frank Slay’s Claridge Records that deserves its day in the sun. There's a lot of Soulful Rock and horny horns to wade through here, so let's get at it my Funkalicious admirers...

UK released 26 July 2019 - "Horn Rock & Funky Grooves 1968-1974" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records/BGP CDBGPD 311 (Barcode 029667094825) is a 17-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (66:01 minutes):

1. Buddy's Advice - PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND (fifth studio album "Keep On Moving" from October 1969 (USA) on Elektra EKS 74053 - Buzzy Feiten song)

2. Toe Hold - AL KOOPER (from his debut solo album "I Stand Alone" from February 1969 on Columbia CS 9718)

3. It's Been A Long Time Coming - DELANEY & BONNIE (May 1968 US 7" single on Stax STA-0003, later issued on their debut album "Home" released August 1969 on Stax STS-2026 (USA) and March 1970 (UK) on Stax SXATS 1029)

4. Understanding - COLD BLOOD [featuring Lydia Pense] (from their December 1970 second album "Sisyphus" on Atlantic/San Francisco SD 205)

5. One Fine Morning (LP Version) - LIGHTHOUSE (fourth studio album "One Fine Morning" released July 1971 (USA) on Evolution Records 3007 and October 1971 (UK) on Vertigo 6342 010)

6. Roller Coaster - BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS (September 1973 US 7" single on Columbia 4-45937, A-side - also on the August 1973 sixth US LP "No Sweat" on Columbia KC 32180 and CBS Records 65275 (UK))

7. Clever Girl - TOWER OF POWER (from their May 1973 US Debut LP "Tower Of Power" on Warner Brothers BS 2681)

8. Blow Your Mind - DONNIE BROOKS (Previously Unissued 1970 Recording, 2019)

9. Run Back To Mama - CHASE [Bill Chase] (from their April 1974 third album "Pure Music" on Epic KE 32572)

10. Tuane - HAMMER (from their November 1970 debut album "Hammer" on Atlantic/San Francisco SD 203)

11. Somebody Oughta' Turn Your Head Around - CRYSTAL MANSION (from their August 1972 US LP "Crystal Mansion" on Rare Earth R 540L)

12. Clown (Part 1) - THE FLOCK (September 1969 edited into two parts FRENCH 7” single on CBS 6965 (A-side is 3:15 minutes) – also part of the full “Clown” track on their debut album "The Flock" issued September 1969 in the USA on Columbia Records CS 9911 (Stereo) and April 1970 in the UK on CBS Records S 63733)

13. Gypsy Boy II - TOBIAS WOOD HENDERSON (from the 1971 album "Blue Stone" on Pulsar Records 10605)

14. Shoes - BLACK MAGIC (Previously Unissued Claridge Records recording, 2019)

15. Make Your Move - THE ELECTRIC FLAG (from the 1974 LP "The Band Kept Playing" on Atlantic SD 18112)

16. Boomp, Boomp, Chomp - THE SONS (from their November 1969 second album on Capitol Records SKAO-332 called "The Sons" – The Sons Of Champlin (featuring Bill Champlin) now credited as The Sons)

17. Aunt Marie - AMERICAN SOUND LTD (1968 US 7” single on Pearce 5841, A-side)

The 20-page booklet features track-by-track info on the 17 cuts by noted writer and Soul/Funk expert DEAN RUDLAND. As ever his knowledge comes shining through and does his level-headed appraisal - the text peppered with shots of album sleeves you rarely ever lay eyes on (Butterfield, Tower Of Power and Lighthouse getting a colour page each) and a couple of tasty US 45s on Stax and Columbia (Delaney & Bonnie and Al Kooper). Audio is care of Ace's long-standing sound-man NICK ROBBINS and given that 95% of it comes from major labels - each track is ballsy and full - proper power when the brass comes brandy-glass rattling into your living room.

Written & Arranged by Buzzy Feiten and Produced by songsmith and all-round catalyst Jerry Ragovoy - the track selection opens strongly with "Buddy's Advice" - Paul Butterfield smart enough to know that the Blues-Rock medium was already too limiting by 1969 - so for album number five, he Funks it up and Soul sympathiser Ragovoy delivers the audio wallop. You're then nailed with a Stateside threesome - ex Blood, Sweat & Tears Al Kooper, Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Leon Russell pals Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett and the truly fantastic Cold Blood sporting the gutteral layrinx of Lydia Pense - a woman who might worry Janis Joplin, Maggie Bell and Elkie Brooks (in that order). Kooper's cover of the Isaac Hayes and David Porter penned "Toe Hold" (previously done by Sam & Dave, Johnnie Taylor and Sharon Tandy) is a smart choice. The backing band that can swing is Dylan's "Blonde On Blonde" troupe, the arrangements are by Jazz Trumpeter Don Ellis (cutting a rug over on Charles Taylor's CTI Records at the same time) and backing vocalists The Blossoms giving it the girl power the Soulful cut needs. Cold Blood have always been a lust of mine - their cover of Donny Hathaway's "Valdez In The Country" surely a contender for Volume 2.

Lighthouse even got their fourth album "One Fine Morning" a Blighty release on Vertigo Records in October 1971 hoping to mimic their home country Canadian success of No. 2 (on GRT Records) and a more modest No. 80 on the US LP charts (Evolution Records). But probably because the black-and-white swirl record company was perceived as a 'difficult' Prog Rock label - nobody fell for their Fusion Rock (time to change that).

The compilation then cleverly goes past the usual choices for Blood, Sweat & Tears (their first three albums, the second and third of which peaked at No. 1 in America) and instead opts for a tune when the public had effectively stopped liking them - the cool "Roller Coaster". Coupled with the fab Tower Of Power and a Keith Olsen produced session in 1970 for Donnie Brooks - things continue well with Bill Chase's "Run Back To Mama" - the ex Maynard Ferguson trumpeter and his band sounding like they’ve been gargling old-school B, S & T. platters for breakfast.

Neither of the Hammer or Crystal Mansion cuts actually feature funky horns, but are guitar-driven monsters that 'feel' like they do. The first I heard of the brilliant scatted "Tuane" track was on Disc 2 of Rhino's fabulous 4CD Box Set "What It Is!" - a 2006 deep dive into Atlantic's vaults and associated labels looking for Rare Grooves. The song was supposed to have lyrics but band member Johnny De just scatted along with the backing track and they realised it was a winner sans words. The Crystal Mansion cut has the feel of a Rock Band that deep down wants to be the Average White Band or Mother's Finest when they grow up and their chandeliers drop. And on it goes to a French single edit by The Flock and a Funk 45 most people will never see on Pearce Records 5841 (out on Kansas) by the cool sounding American Sound Ltd telling you about a hip relative to the sound of manic brass punctuations.

American Rock gets back to its soulful roots...the blurb on the rear inlay to CDBGPD 311 states. And I’d like to thank Ace for reminding us of that and being a credit to the reissuing community. Recommended...

Sunday 17 January 2016

"Visions Of A New World" by LONNIE LISTON SMITH & THE COSMIC ECHOES (2015 Ace/Beat Goes Public CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Soul Flow..."

Jazz Funk and Fusion has a bedrock of superstar albums like Donald Byrd's "Spaces And Places", Herbie Hancock's "Headhunters", The Crusaders "Free As The Wind", George Benson's "Breezin'" and even Grover Washington Jr.'s "Winelight" from 1980. High on that list has to be Lonnie Liston Smith's April 1975 masterpiece "Expansions" which preceded "Visions Of A New World" by only five months ("Visions..." was released Stateside in October 1975). The tendency then is to overlook the albums after and before those smashes and Lonnie's wonderful follow up to "Expansions" is a case in point. "Visions Of A New World" is a melodic, mellow and Soulful Jazz Funk and Fusion gem and has had the heart of genre lovers for four decades since its release. And now Ace Records of the UK (through their Beat Goes Public label imprint) has given it a new 2015 CD remaster and reissue and the bugger only sounds gorgeous - properly ripe for rediscovery by a new generation. Here are the stellar details...

UK released 31 July 2015 (August 2015 in the USA) - "Visions Of A New World" by LONNIE LISTON SMITH & THE COSMIC ECHOES on Ace/Beat Goes Public CDBGPM 294 (Barcode 029667529426) is a straightforward mid-price CD transfer in their 'Flying Dutchman Jazz Classics' Reissue Series and breaks down as follows (33:57 minutes):

1. A Chance For Peace

2. Love Beams

3. Colors Of The Rainbow

4. Devika (Goddess)

5. Sunset [Side 2]

6. Visions Of A New World (Phase I)

7. Visions Of A New World (Phase II)

8. Summer Nights

The 8-track album was originally released October 1975 in the USA on Flying Dutchman Records BDL1-1196 and January 1976 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8461.

Lonnie Liston Smith plays keyboards on every track, Donald Smith puts in vocals on three – "A Chance For Peace", "Colors Of The Rainbow" and "Visions Of A New World (Phase I)" and also contributes Flute and Horns on "Love Beams", "Sunset", "Visions Of A New World (Phase II)" and "Summer Nights". The band includes Clifford Adams on Trombone, Cecil Bridgewater on Trumpet, Reggie Lucas on Guitar, Greg Maker on Bass, Wilby Fletcher on Drums with Ray Armando, Angel Allende and Lawrence Killan on Percussion.

NICK ROBBINS has carried the CD Remaster at Sound Mastering in London (an Engineer of long-standing and skill) and it sounds beautiful – bringing out the superb Bob Thiele Production values applied to all his Flying Dutchman releases (LLS co-produced this LP with him). The inlay is a four-part foldout – with new liner notes by noted writer DEAN RUDLAND, label repros, trade advert and the original LP credits. Its functional but highly informative.

It opens with the sublime "A Chance For Peace" – a track beloved by adventurous DJs, Funk lovers and CD compilation compliers. But what gets me is that I'd forgotten how perfect the 'whole' LP is - giving you moods and rare grooves – funky one moment – Soulful and smoochy the next – all Cosmic and peaceful thereafter. In fact its even commercial if you think about it (it charted at a healthy 14 in the USA). RCA Victor in the UK gave "A Chance For Peace" an airing in March 1976 on a British 45 (RCA 2668) but amazingly it sank without a trace (the LP was deleted in early 1977 too). We get all trippy on "Colors Of The Rainbow" as Donald Smith sings with abandon about Mother Nature smiling tears of joy. But we then get hit with the other mellow masterpiece on here "Devika (Goddess)" written by Soprano Saxophone player David Hubbard (with Sarina Grant). It grooves along to his lovely flourishes and is 5:16 minutes of pure Jazz Funk sexiness. Side 2 opens with a sensual piano intro to the wonderful "Sunset" – the track sounding and feeling like you’re witnessing the title – a Sunset. The two parts of “Visions” are piano-heavy Fusion with Donald Smith handling the spacy vocal on Phase I until it goes into George Duke Funk territory for Phase II. The LP ends on a swirling "Summer Nights" – again with cool Audio as its bedtime sexiness caresses your speakers...

A fabulous Reissue then - and if you don’t have the album – waste no time – it’s a steal at twice its mid-price...

PS: Titles in the 'Flying Dutchman Jazz Classics' Series of CD Reissues by Ace/Beat Goes Public of the UK include:

1. Fenix - GATO BARBIERI (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 268)

2. The Third World - GATO BARBIERI (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 272)

3. El Pampero – GATO BARBIERI (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 283)

4. Cesar 830 – CESAR (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 261)

5. Friends And Neighbors: Ornette Live At Prince Street – ORNETTE COLEMAN (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 266)

6. Afrique – COUNT BASIE (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 271)

7. Barefoot Boy - LARRY CORYELL (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 269)

8. George Russell Presents… - THE ESOTERIC CIRCLE (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 284)

9. Small Talk At 125th & Lenox - GIL SCOTT-HERON (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 290) - see REVIEW

10. Pieces Of A Man – GIL SCOTT-HERON (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 274)

11. Free Will – GIL SCOTT-HERON (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 281)

12. Astral Traveling – LONNIE LISTON SMITH & THE COSMIC ECHOES (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 273)

13. Cosmic Funk - LONNIE LISTON SMITH & THE COSMIC ECHOES (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 278)

14. Expansions – LONNIE LISTON SMITH & THE COSMIC ECHOES (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 263)

15. Visions Of A New World – LONNIE LISTON SMITH & THE COSMIC ECHOES (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 294)

16. Reflections Of A Golden Dream – LONNIE LISTON SMITH & THE COSMIC ECHOES (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 296)

17. Cosmic Funk And Spiritual Sounds; The Best Of The Flying Dutchman Years – LONNIE LISTON SMITH (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 254)

18. Newport News, Virginia – ESTHER MARROW (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 264)

19. Swiss Suite: Recorded Live At The Montreaux Jazz Festival - OLIVER NELSON (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 279)

20. Soul Is… - PRETTY PURDIE (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 282)

21. Head Start – BOB THIELE EMERGENCY (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 265)

22. Spirits Known And Unknown – LEON THOMAS (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 262)

23. The Leon Thomas Album - LEON THOMAS (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 270)

24. Blues And The Soulful Truth – LEON THOMAS (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPM 277)

25. The Creator: The Best Of The Flying Dutchman Masters – LEON THOMAS (Ace/BGP Records CDBGPD 257)

"Reflections Of A Golden Dream" by LONNIE LISTON SMITH & THE COSMIC ECHOES (2015 Ace/Beat Goes Public CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 100s Of Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

SOUL, FUNK and JAZZ FUSION - Exception CD Remasters

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...Journey Into Space..."

Using their Beat Goes Public imprint (BGP) - Ace Records of the UK continue their wonderful reissue of Lonnie Liston Smith's trio of Jazz-Funk meisterworks with his 'Cosmic Echoes' band on Bob Thiele's Flying Dutchman Records back in the mid Seventies – albums that collectors and lovers of the genre have lusted after on more than a few Funky occasions.

April 2013 saw Smith’s hugely popular "Expansions" album from May 1975 get a 5-star CD reissue – while the second LP "Visions Of A New World" from October of that same year came our CD way in July of 2015. And now in November 2015 – the third and forgotten nugget in his initial cannon – April 1976's "Reflections Of A Golden Dream" with the massively popular Soul-Funk smash "Get Down Everybody (It's Time For World Peace)". All three reissues are part of Ace's 'Flying Dutchman Jazz Classics' CD Remasters Series. Here are the dreamscapes for Volume 3...

UK released 27 November 2015 (December 2015 in the USA) - "Reflections Of A Golden Dream" by LONNIE LISTON SMITH & THE COSMIC ECHOES on Ace/Beat Goes Public CDBGPM 296 (Barcode 029667529624) is a straightforward mid-price CD transfer in their ‘Flying Dutchman Jazz Classics’ Reissue Series and plays out as follows (38:57 minutes):

1. Get Down Everybody (It’s Time For World Peace)

2. Quiet Dawn

3. Sunbeams

4. Meditations

5. Peace And Love

6. Beautiful Woman [Side 2]

7. Goddess Of Love

8. Inner Beauty

9. Golden Dreams

10. Journey Into Space

The 10-track album was originally released April 1976 in the USA on Flying Dutchman Records BDL1-1460 and July 1976 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1053.

Lonnie Liston Smith plays keyboards and 'funky electronic textures' on every track while singing lead on "Get Down Everybody (It's Time For World Peace)". As was the case on the "Visions Of New Worlds" LP earlier that year (1975) - Donald Smith puts in lead vocals on three songs – "Peace And Love", "Beautiful Woman" and "Inner Beauty" and also contributes Flute on three more - "Quiet Dawn", "Sunbeams" and "Golden Dreams". The band includes David Hubbard and Arthur Kaplin on Saxophones, Joe Shepley and Jon Faddis on Trumpets, Al Anderson on Bass, Wilby Fletcher on Drums with Guilherme Franco and Leopoldo Fleming on Percussion - while Maeretha Stewart, Patti Austin and Vivian Cherry sang Backing Vocals on tracks 1 and 5.

NICK ROBBINS has carried out the CD Remaster at Sound Mastering in London (an Engineer of long-standing and skill) and it sounds beautiful – bringing out the superb Bob Thiele Production values applied to all his Flying Dutchman releases (LLS co-produced this LP with him). The 8-page inlay features new liner notes by noted writer DEAN RUDLAND, label repros of Side 1 and 2 of the original Flying Dutchman LP and the US 7" single for "Get Down Everybody..." with "Goddess Of Love" on the B-side (Flying Dutchman JB 10616). There's also a two-page spread which repros the musician credits from the gatefold sleeve. It’s functional but highly informative.

It opens with the album’s most famous track – Lonnie Liston Smith giving it some rare vocals on the Jazz-Funk Rare Groove monster "Get Down Everybody (It's Time For World Peace)" – an anthem in clubs that pumps out the Brass and Rotary Connection vocals with a rapid backbeat. And again like "Visions Of A New World" from 1975 which I reviewed a few months back (also reissued by Ace’s BGP) - I'd forgotten how good the 'whole' LP is - giving you bedroom moods like the beautiful piano instrumental "Quiet Dawn" and then zither-slick grooves like the funky "Sunbeams" which feels like Dexter Wansel or Donald Byrd at their Philly International/Blue Note best. Swirling keyboard and vibe beauty follows once again with the gorgeous textures of "Meditations" - while the side ends on the Acoustic Bill Withers funk of "Peace & Love" – another stab at the vocal commercial hit of "Get Down Everybody" that even has a slightly Brazilian sway to it. It’s a winner and the label put it out as a 45 on Flying Dutchman DB-10702 with the wicked "Quiet Dawn" as its B-side.

Side 2 opens with the good but slightly less convincing shuffle of "Beautiful Woman" which I always skipped for the far better chunky-funk of “Goddess Of Love” – a flute-driven mid-tempo number that sounds sexy and sweet. The swirling “Inner Beauty" is the kind of ethereal Fusion I love – all spacey and magical somehow yet you can’t quite define why. I personally would have followed with "Golden Dreams" as another slick 45 – the spoken vocals and that slinky rhythm would surely have had some DJ spinning that bad mother. It ends on “Journey Into Space” – a trippy instrumental that sounds like our Lonnie has been listening to the percussion opening parts in Santana's "Caravanserai" just once too often...

Another fabulous reissue then by Ace’s BGP of Lonnie Liston Smith's Cosmic Echoes trio of albums - and if you don’t have the album "Reflections Of A Golden Dream" – then waste no time – it’s a steal at twice the mid-price...

PS: Titles in the "Flying Dutchman Jazz Classics" Series of CDs includes: