This has to be one of the finest compilations of music from 1975 – 1981going and certainly on a par with comps from Salsoul or Philadelphia International from the same era. Each track is a gem in its very own right and if you love to soak up all those jazzy inflections amongst some super fine funky beats then this needs to be on your Christmas etc list for sure. I guess it’s also down to the inspired playing alongside the spiritually charged vocals making the connection too. Of course a number of these tracks were played alongside the cooler end of Disco at the time, as were some breaks lifted for Hip-Hop and loops for House in turn – swings and roundabouts. But don’t take my word for it, simply look at the track list, or if you’re lucky enough to encounter this music for the first time then please listen to it loud. However, just to mention a few favourites: Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes exquisite, ‘Expansions’, Aquarian Dream, ‘You’re A Star’ plus Roy Ayers, ’Love Will Bring Us Back Together Again’ along with Eddie Henderson’s, ‘Prance On’ and so the list goes on until Grover Washington Jr. completes the bill via his epic ‘Mister Magic’
5 out of 5
Reviewed by Greg Fenton
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