Lonnie Smith Liston - Astral Traveling [CD]

2014 reissue of Smith & his band the Cosmic Echoes 1973 debut album produced by Bob Thiele. The band included George Barron on saxophone, Cecil McBee on bass and a host of percussionists including two Indian players. The sound was atypical of his later recordings in that it was a largely acoustic set - featuring electric piano but no synths - but it fit in with Lonnie's cosmic jazz philosophy. The title track set the scene for an album with a mellow, spacey feel that today would be called spiritual jazz. Includes 4 alternate takes. BGP.