Lonnie Smith
Afrodesia

Keyboard legend Lonnie Smith recorded the killer ‘Afrodesia’ album for Sonny Lester’s Groove Merchant label in 1975. It features a great line of Lonnie on keyboards and organ, Ron Carter and Ralphe Armstrong on basses, Ben Riley and Jamey Huddad on drums, Joe Lovano on sax (one of his earliest recordings), Greg Hopkins on Trumpet and an uncredited George Benson on guitar on three of the albums five cuts. ‘Afrodesia’ is a very funky Jazz nine minute compelling groove with Lonnie on keyboards featuring a lead male vocal and female backing vocals and great solos as it chugs along, a very unique and haunting track that really hits the spot and gets under your skin. ‘Spirits Free’ a near fifteen minute cut is a more spiritual organ track with horns propelled by Carter’s electric bass. ‘Straight To The Point’ is highly percussive organ groove led by Lovano that has found favour on the Jazz Dance scene. ‘Favors’ is another shifter Smiths organ vying with Lavano’s sax and Benson’s guitar over Huddad’s backbeat for ten minutes on a groove loosely based on ‘Footprint’s. The same line up features on ‘The Awakening’ Which is s more straight forward organ track. Superb album and another of the best from the Groove Merchant label.