{"title":"Lonnie Smith","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"afro-desia-3","title":"Afro-Desia","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe second in the Mr Bongo series opening the vault on classic recordings from the fabled Groove Merchant Records catalogue. This time the spotlight turns to the Hammond B3 organ maestro Lonnie Smith, as we proudly present a reissue of his cosmic jazz-funk journey, \u003ci\u003eAfro-Desia\u003c\/i\u003e. Originally released in 1975, this much-loved album was produced by Groove Merchant label owner Sonny Lester and features the mysterious 'Compliments Of A Friend' on guitar. Considering Smith was part of George Benson's quartet in the '60s, that not so discreet veil appears to have been lifted on who this 'friend' might be. However, presumably due to contractual reasons, Benson had to remain covert for this recording. The lineup doesn't stop there though, with the likes of legendary bassist Ron Carter and Grammy award winning saxophonist Joe Lavano joining the outfit.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50402100609355,"sku":"2176100","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50402099560779,"sku":"2176099","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/eaf17c6d-576a-4d62-9610-1b0f2dbd431e_c22c9842_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726532075"},{"product_id":"funk-reaction","title":"Funk Reaction","description":"\u003cp\u003eContinuing Mr Bongo's series exploring the wealth of material released through the record labels of Sonny Lester, 1977's \u003ci\u003eFunk Reaction\u003c\/i\u003e fnds Hammond B3 organ virtuoso Lonnie Smith at his most dancefoor- friendly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Dripping with groove and swagger, this album skates between jazz-funk, cosmic disco radiance, beat-laden slow-jams and conscious psychedelic soul. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHaving played with the likes of George Benson and Lou Donaldson in the '60s, alongside releasing a string of albums on Columbia and Blue Note, \u003ci\u003eFunk Reaction\u003c\/i\u003e sees Smith move into late '70s disco-funk-tinged territory. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginally released on Sonny Lester's Groove Merchant Records successor, Lester Radio Corporation, the album feels more like a collaborative band- orientated project as opposed to a solo artist outing. Featuring some elite session players of the time, including Steve Gadd on drums, guitarist Lance Quinn and bassist Bob Babbitt , the album is tied together expertly by songwriter, arranger and conductor Brad Baker. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt's worth the price tag alone for the superb disco-funk nugget 'Funk Reaction'. Other highlights include the only Lonnie Smith penned track on the album 'All In My Mind', that shines with a beautiful Stevie Wonder-esque quality and the slick guitar- led foater 'When The Night Is Right', written by and featuring guitarist Richie Hohenburger. Elsewhere, 'For The Love Of It' and the Brad Babbitt written 'Babbitt's Other Song' serve up classic jazz funk favours, both featuring stellar tenor saxophone from Eddie Daniels. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a whole, the album is a superb example of Lonnie Smith's ability to merge jazz with elements of funk, soul, disco and beyond, experimenting with ideas whilst broadening the scope of both his audience and appeal. Fans of The Blackbyrds, the CTI \/ Kudu stable and '70s George Benson will dig this!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50418058035531,"sku":"2189552","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50418060984651,"sku":"2189553","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/e858db51-b3f4-43dc-8264-f01c2f4ec212_7222b0cd_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726738606"},{"product_id":"when-the-night-is-right","title":"When The Night Is Right","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis obscure LP features organist Lonnie Smith (no relation to Lonnie Liston Smith) backed by a large ensemble on three numbers from 1976 and 1979 and on two selections (\"Apex\" and \"Impressions\") in 1975 with a quartet including tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano (at the beginning of his career) and guitarist George Benson. The music ranges between soul-jazz and hard bop and holds one's interest, although this album will be a difficult one to locate.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiaroscouro","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50451513180491,"sku":"403853","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/f6621ad2-428b-405a-a0a6-6371e6dde50a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727127934"},{"product_id":"turning-point","title":"Turning Point","description":"\u003cp\u003eDr. Lonnie Smith’s 1969 album \u003ci\u003eTurning Point\u003c\/i\u003e featured the organ virtuoso with a dynamic band featuring Lee Morgan on trumpet, Julian Priester on trombone, Bennie Maupin on tenor saxophone, Melvin Sparks on guitar, and the funky drummer Leo Morris (aka Idris Muhammad). Highlights include covers of “See Saw” and “Eleanor Rigby” plus soulful originals.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blue Note","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":50484383482187,"sku":"2027191","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":51496466481483,"sku":"R9174-9389","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/LonnieSmith-TurningPoint_1LP-Cvr_9c685bef_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727590143"},{"product_id":"think","title":"Think!","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the funkiest and most inventive organists to ever walk the earth, \u003cstrong\u003eDr. Lonnie Smith\u003c\/strong\u003e made his name on Blue Note beginning with his 1968 label debut \u003cem\u003eThink!\u003c\/em\u003e. Produced by Francis Wolff, the album featured trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor saxophonist David Newman, guitarist Melvin Sparks, and drummer Marian Booker Jr., with Henry \"Pucho\" Brown, William Bivens, and Norberto Apellaniz adding percussion on two tracks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGroove is the thing on this session from the hard-driving opener \"\u003cem\u003eSong of Ice Bag\u003c\/em\u003e\" written by Hugh Masekela to Doc’s laid-back original \"\u003cem\u003eSlouchin’\u003c\/em\u003e\" to the band’s joyful romp through Aretha Franklin’s hit \"\u003cem\u003eThink\u003c\/em\u003e\".\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blue Note","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50498427421003,"sku":"1066179","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/234b4e71-63ad-4c1d-a783-d9a14c0dfd9e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727747838"},{"product_id":"finger-lickin-good","title":"Finger Lickin' Good","description":"\u003cp\u003eLonnie Smith (1942 – 2021), was an American jazz organist.. In 1965 he met guitarist George Benson. The two connected on a personal level and formed the George Benson Quartet, featuring Lonnie Smith, in 1966. After two albums under Benson’s leadership, Smith recorded his first solo album \u003ci\u003eFinger Lickin’ Good (Soul Organ)\u003c\/i\u003e with George Benson and Melvin Sparks on guitar, Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax, and Marion Booker on drums. This combination remained stable for the next five years. Lonnie Smith was named 9 times “the best organist of the year” by the Jazz Journalists Association. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Music On Vinyl","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50531248800075,"sku":"2219980","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Finger_Lickin_Good_2fc4a86d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728101273"},{"product_id":"drives","title":"Drives","description":"\u003cp\u003eLonnie Smith’s 1970 album \u003ci\u003eDrives\u003c\/i\u003e was a showcase of the organist’s sense of adventure and indomitable groove. With Dave Hubbard on tenor sax, Ronnie Cuber on bari sax, Larry McGee on guitar, and Joe Dukes on drums, Smith delivers funky takes on hits ‘Twenty-Five Miles’ and ‘Spinning Wheel’, plus a fleet version of Miles Davis’ ‘Seven Steps to Heaven’. This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50969908511051,"sku":"2228982","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Drives_4537edb8_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1734068589"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/lonnie-smith.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}