Explorations: The Columbia Recordings [Original recording remastered]

Lonnie Liston Smith | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 28, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000066SJW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,291 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect compilation of Smith's 70s work, December 24, 2002

By 

Scott Woods (Columbus, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Explorations: The Columbia Recordings (Audio CD)

This CD collects 4 of Smith's late 70s (1978-1980) albums:
- the classic and oft-sampled "Exotic Mysteries"
- the not as good but still noteworthy "Loveland"
- "Love Is The Answer"
- the ultra-rare "Song for The Children"

That this set includes "Song for the Children" is almost reason enough to buy it alone, but with all the other great music you're getting on this album you really can't go wrong, even if you never heard of Smith. If you're into smooth jazz or 70s fusion, you'll be catching Smith in his contemporary prime (if you want to catch him feeling his way toward this type of material but still holding onto his traditional jazz roots with a little more fervor, you want "Expansions", "Cosmic Funk" and "Visions of a New World", all classic albums on their own.

This collection gives us much of his mainstream work before he went totally quiet storm-ish in the 80s; when disco was hitting heavy and hard and jazz was plugging into the nearest electrical outlet to figure out what the kids that day were seeing in all those rock groups. These albums come after Miles Davis's and Weather Report's grand success in the fusion genre, and Smith went unheralded except for a few choice singles (which are collected here) for much of the time these albums were originally released. That you can have four pretty great records in one fell swoop is a deal simply too good for any self-proclaimed jazz lover of ANY style to pass up.

Traditionalists may scoff a bit at the electrical mechanics of Smith's work of the time, but there is no denying the man's ear for arrangement, swing and the fact that his ballads are practically transcendent. In fact, of the 31 tracks here, 11 of them are ballads of one vibe or another, most of them on the first disc. As disco and dance music in general picked up more speed - and Smith's "Space Princess" became a dance hit - his later albums didn't give us as much of this stuff as his past work, and that's a shame: the man did beautiful washes of sound in ballads that no one else ever came close to. You knew a Lonnie Liston Smith slow jam when you heard one.

All in all, a mandatory pruchase for anyone who appreciates jazz after 1970. It's right after some classic albums (which you also have to get) and right before he takes a turn for the commercial worst ("Love Goddess" is abysmally wack).

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEYOND DESCRIPTION, May 29, 2002

By 

Doug Bugher (San Antonio, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Explorations: The Columbia Recordings (Audio CD)

To those of you who are aware of Lonnie Liston Smith's body of work, you needn't my review, as you know his artistry is beyond description. My first experience of his musical canvas was on the album "Exotic Mysteries," having become entranced by what is still my favorite piece of music, "Quiet Moments," a title most befitting the experience. I have since collected all of his work on CD, while awaiting two final pieces. In search for years for his LP's "A Song For The Children," and "Love is the Answer," they appeared here on this compilation before my eyes. Lonnie's mastery of taking you outside of your body, or sending you deep within it, with his most unique sound has endured him as my all-time favorite artist. Without exaggeration, having listened to his music over and over again, I can still hear layers of tones, sounds, instruments I'd never heard before. Lonnie's music can not be compared to any other. His music dare not be labelled. Heavenly, drivin', introspective, from Quiet or Bright Moments to Floating Through Space, any bar, any measure any two or more notes you'll experience while sharing Lonnie Liston Smith's instrumentals is truly beyond description. If you enjoy travelling, while physically never leaving the confines of your headset, this recording is an investment in yourself.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rare Lonnie Liston Smith, September 28, 2006

By 

Olukayode Balogun (Leeds, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Explorations: The Columbia Recordings (Audio CD)

When I was first getting into jazz back in the 80s, Lonnie Liston Smith's 1985 release "Rejuvenation" was one of the albums that had me hooked. I looked hard for other stuff by him for some time after but with no luck. At one stage I was made to believe that "Rejuvenation" was the only album he'd ever made or certainly the only one that was available. Eventually I gave up.

Then, earlier this summer at a barbecue, I heard one of the songs on this CD and demanded to know who it was. It was on a compliation CD but after some research, I mamaged to track this one down and ordered it.

It's great stuff. Over 2.5 hours of non-stop jazz-funk, funky jazz or whatever you might choose to call it. This is a collection of four albums he made back in the 70s, namely "Exotic Mysteries", "Love Is The Answer", "Loveland" and "Song For The Children" with some new tracks added on for good measure. I didn't even know these albums existed. The vocal performances are interesting enough but it's really the instrumentals that make the album for me. It's simple and undemanding stuff but very intelligent at the same time. Apart from Smith on electric and acoustic piano, there are appearances from such jazz/funk/soul legends as Marcus Miller, Gloria Jones and David Hubbard.

A great find and fantastic value for money. A must for anyone into 70s-style jazz, or any lover of classic good music.