Lonnie Liston Smith
Lonnie Liston Smith Jr. is an esteemed American jazz, soul, and funk musician born on December 28, 1940, in Richmond, Virginia. Coming from a musical family, his father was a member of the Gospel Group, “The Harmonizing Four,” which laid the foundation for his early exposure to music.
Smith pursued his formal education in music, earning a bachelor's degree in Music Education, which equipped him for a career in the music industry. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he began to make a name for himself by collaborating with prominent jazz figures such as Miles Davis, Pharoah Sanders, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk. His experience as a sideman for these heavyweights helped him develop his signature style and sound.
In addition to his work with jazz luminaries, Smith is recognized for his distinct contributions to the jazz genre, particularly in the fields of soul and funk. He has built a significant discography, which includes both collaborations and his own solo projects, reflecting his innovative approach to music.
Smith's artistry has earned him a legendary status within the jazz community, making waves in the music scene and influencing countless artists across various genres. As of now, he continues to be celebrated for his contributions and remains an influential figure in contemporary music.
Visions Of A New World
Written-By – Lonnie Liston Smith
5:18
A2 Love Beams
Written-By – Lonnie Liston Smith
4:07
A3 Colors Of The Rainbow
Written-By – Lonnie Liston Smith
3:45
A4 Devika (Goddess)
Written-By – Dave Hubbard
5:17
B1 Sunset
Written-By – Lonnie Liston Smith
4:10
B2 Visions Of A New World (Phase I)
Written-By – Lonnie Liston Smith
2:08
B3 Visions Of A New World (Phase II)
Written-By – Lonnie Liston Smith
3:40
B4 Summer Nights
Written-By – Lonnie Liston Smith
5:05
Label: Flying Dutchman – BDL1-1196
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Jazz-Funk
Astral Traveling
A2 Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord 6:30
A3 Rejuvenation 5:50
B1 I Mani (Faith) 6:10
B2 In Search Of Truth 7:04
B3 Aspirations 4:20
Written-By – Lonnie Liston Smith
Label: Flying Dutchman – FD 10163
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Jazz
Style: Soul-Jazz, Free Jazz
Cosmic Funk
Written-By – Lonnie Liston Smith
5:35
A2 Footprints
Written-By – Wayne Shorter
6:08
A3 Beautiful Women
Written-By – Lonnie Liston Smith
6:57
B1 Sais (Egypt)
Written-By – Mtume
8:15
B2 Peaceful Ones
Written-By – Lonnie Liston Smith
5:03
B3 Naima
Written-By – John Coltrane
4:02
Label: Flying Dutchman – BDL 1-0591
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Jazz
Style: Jazz-Funk
Dreams Of Tomorrow
Drums – Yogi Horton
Electric Piano, Piano [Acoustic Piano] – Lonnie Liston Smith
Lead Vocals – Donald Smith
Percussion – Steve Thornton
Soprano Saxophone – David Hubbard
Written-By, Bass, Synthesizer [Prophet 5], Guitar, Backing Vocals – Marcus Miller 4:42
A2 Mystic Woman
Bass, Synthesizer [Prophet 5], Guitar – Marcus Miller
Drums – Yogi Horton
Flute – David Hubbard, Donald Smith
Percussion – Steve Thornton
Written-By, Electric Piano – Lonnie Liston Smith 4:35
A3 The Love I See In Your Eyes
Drums – Buddy Williams
Flute – Donald Smith
Percussion – Steve Thornton
Piano [Acoustic Piano] – Lonnie Liston Smith
Soprano Saxophone – David Hubbard
Written-By, Bass, Synthesizer [Prophet 5], Keyboards – Marcus Miller 3:47
A4 Dreams Of Tomorrow
Bass, Synthesizer [Prophet 5] – Marcus Miller
Drums – Buddy Williams
Lead Vocals – Donald Smith
Percussion – Steve Thornton
Written-By, Electric Piano – Lonnie Liston Smith 4:15
B1 Never Too Late
Drums – Yogi Horton
Electric Piano, Piano – Lonnie Liston Smith
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Donald Smith
Percussion – Steve Thornton
Soprano Saxophone – David Hubbard
Written-By, Bass, Synthesizer [Prophet 5], Backing Vocals, Keyboards – Marcus Miller 4:50
B2 Rainbows Of Love
Drums – Buddy Williams
Flute – Donald Smith
Percussion – Steve Thornton
Soprano Saxophone – David Hubbard
Synthesizer [Synthesizer Bass] – Marcus Miller
Written-By, Electric Piano, Piano – Lonnie Liston Smith 4:20
B3 Divine Light
Bass, Synthesizer [Prophet 5], Guitar – Marcus Miller
Drums – Buddy Williams
Percussion – Steve Thornton
Soprano Saxophone – David Hubbard
Voice, Flute – Donald Smith
Written-By – Sri Chinmoy
Written-By, Piano – Lonnie Liston Smith 3:35
B4 A Garden Of Peace
Written-By, Piano [Acoustic Piano], Electric Piano – Lonnie Liston Smith
3:09
Label: Doctor Jazz – FW 38447
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: R&B Jazz
Style: Jazz-Funk, Fusion
Lonnie Liston Smith's Dreams of Tomorrow (1983) is a beloved, smooth jazz-funk fusion album, praised for its soulful grooves, spiritual feel, and standout tracks like "A Garden of Peace" and "Divine Light," featuring soulful vocals (Donald Miller) and early Marcus Miller bass, delivering a pleasant, radio-friendly sound that bridges jazz, funk, and soul, perfect for fans of mellow, uplifting grooves.
Key Highlights:
The album features Smith's brother Donald on vocals/flute, David Hubbard on sax, and a young, incredible Marcus Miller on bass. A standout element is the "dynamic" and "prodigious" bass play of 18-year-old Marcus Miller, which revitalized Smith’s keyboard energy.
Track Highlights:
"A Garden of Peace": Often cited as the album's crown jewel, it is described as a "heart-wrenching" and "beautiful melody" that remains a timeless classic.
"Mystic Woman": Features a "hard-driving funk beat" and highlights the powerful collaboration between Smith and Miller.
"Dreams of Tomorrow": The title track is praised for its "world-harmonizing lyrics" and sparse but perfect support for Donald Smith's vocal performance.
"A Lonely Way to Be": An upbeat opener that previews the popular R&B-inflected jazz style of the era.
If you enjoy classic jazz-funk with melodic hooks, spiritual undertones, and smooth, sophisticated production, Dreams of Tomorrow is a must-listen for its iconic tracks and warm sound that stands the test of time.
Exotic Mysteries
Engineer – Godfrey Diamond, Rafael Charres
Lead Vocals – Donald Smith
Remix – Bert DeCoteaux, Godfrey Diamond
7:00
A2 Quiet Moments 3:54
A3 Magical Journey 4:58
A4 Exotic Mysteries
Alto Flute, Soprano Flute – David Hubbard
Soprano Flute, Bass Flute – Donald Smith
5:00
B1 Singing For Love
Rhythm Guitar – Butch Campbell
Twelve-String Guitar – Aurell Ray
5:29
B2 Mystical Dreamer (A Tribute To Miles Davis)
Flute – Donald Smith
Soprano Saxophone – David Hubbard
6:00
B3 Twilight 1:28
B4 Night Flower
Flute – Donald Smith
Soprano Saxophone – David Hubbard
6:07
Label: Columbia – JC 35654
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Jazz-Funk, Jazz Fusion
Lonnie Liston Smith's Exotic Mysteries (1978) is praised as a smooth, accessible jazz-funk fusion gem, blending disco, R&B, and ethereal jazz with vibrant rhythms, rich textures, and Donald Smith's otherworldly vocals, featuring standout tracks like Marcus Miller's "Space Princess" and showcasing excellent musicianship for a delightfully engaging, groovy experience, though some jazz purists find it too pop-oriented.
Standout Tracks: "Space Princess" (a dance favorite) and "Night Flower" (late-night radio staple), plus "Quiet Moments".
Features Marcus Miller (bass), Steve Thornton (congas), Lino Reyes (drums) with highly skilled performances and rich textures. Donald Smith's ethereal, "otherworldly" vocals add a unique, soulful depth.
Considered a classic of the era, bridging jazz fusion with mainstream appeal and influencing UK jazz-funk.
Hailed for its engaging melodies, mature sound, excellent production, and pure enjoyment. Some hardcore jazz fans might dislike its pop/disco leanings, but it's celebrated as masterfully crafted, accessible music.
In essence, Exotic Mysteries is seen as a successful, enjoyable fusion album that offers a dreamy, funky escape, perfect for fans of sophisticated grooves and soulful jazz.
Expansions
A2 Desert Nights 6:45
A3 Summer Days 5:53
B1 Voodoo Woman 4:20
B2 Peace 4:13
B3 Shadows 6:20
B4 My Love 5:40
Written-By – Doug Carn (tracks: B2), Horace Silver (tracks: B2), Lonnie Liston Smith (tracks: A1 to B1, B3, B4), Michael Carvin (tracks: B1)
Label: RCA Victor – SF8434
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Jazz
Style: Jazz-Funk
Love Is The Answer
A2 Love Is The Answer 4:47
A3 Speak About It 5:56
A4 Bridge Through Time 4:02
B1 On The Real Side 5:46
B2 The Enchantress 4:57
B3 Give Peace A Chance (Make Love Not War) 6:00
B4 Free And Easy 3:10
Label: Columbia – JC 36373
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Soul-Jazz, Jazz-Funk
Renaissance
Music By – Lonnie Liston Smith
6:40
A2 Mardi Gras (Carnival)
Music By – Lonnie Liston Smith
6:02
A3 Starlight And You
Music By, Words By – Lonnie Liston Smith
5:21
B1 Mongotee
Music By – David Hubbard*
5:44
B2 A Song Of Love
Music By, Music By – Lonnie Liston Smith
4:05
B3 Between Here And There
Music By – Lonnie Liston Smith
2:36
B4 Renaissance
Music By – Lonnie Liston Smith
Words By – Jeff Gaines
4:53
Label: RCA Victor – APL1-1822
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Space-Age, Jazz-Funk
Silhouettes
Composed By – Bob Thiele, Glenn Osser
Electric Piano – Lonnie Liston Smith
Percussion – Jimmy Maelen, Kimati Dinizulu
Soprano Saxophone – Premik
3:09
A2 If You Take Care Of Me
Backing Vocals – Babi Floyd, Kurt Yahjian
Bass – Tom Barney
Composed By – Robert Thiele, Jr., Davitt Sigerson
Drums – Buddy Williams
Electric Piano – Lonnie Liston Smith
Lead Vocals – Donald Smith
Percussion – Steve Thornton
Synthesizer – Barry Eastmond, Robert Thiele, Jr.
5:10
A3 Silhouettes
Bass – Tom Barney
Composed By – Lonnie Liston Smith
Drums – Buddy Williams
Electric Piano – Lonnie Liston Smith
Flute [Alto] – Premik
Percussion – Steve Thornton
4:38
A4 Summer Afternoon
Bass – Tom Barney
Composed By – Lonnie Liston Smith
Drums – Buddy Williams
Electric Piano, Piano [Acoustic] – Lonnie Liston Smith
Flute [Alto], Soprano Saxophone – Premik
Guitar – Abdul Wuali
Percussion – Jimmy Maelen
Synthesizer – Joy Askew
5:49
B1 Enlightenment
Backing Vocals – Robert Thiele, Jr., Keven P. Green, Miles Watson
Bass – Tom Barney
Composed By – Robert Thiele, Jr., Davitt Sigerson, Lonnie Liston Smith
Drums – Buddy Williams
Electric Piano – Lonnie Liston Smith
Guitar – Abdul Wuali
Percussion – Jimmy Maelen
Synthesizer – Robert Thiele, Jr., Joy Askew
4:51
B2 City Of Lights
Bass – Anthony Jackson
Composed By – Eric Paul Saunders
Drums – Buddy Williams
Electric Piano – Lonnie Liston Smith
Guitar – Abdul Wuali
Percussion – Jimmy Maelen
Soprano Saxophone – Premik
5:11
B3 Once Again Love
Bass – Tom Barney
Composed By – Tom Barney
Drums – Buddy Williams
Electric Piano, Piano [Acoustic] – Lonnie Liston Smith
Soprano Saxophone – Premik
Synthesizer – Joy Askew
5:02
B4 Just Us Two
Composed By – Lonnie Liston Smith
Electric Piano, Piano [Acoustic] – Lonnie Liston Smith
4:17
Label: Doctor Jazz – FW 39420
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: R&B Jazz
Style: Jazz-Funk, Fusion, Smooth Jazz