LONNIE LISTON SMITH Vinyl & CDs

Review: Lonnie Liston Smith made a lot of rather good records in the 1970s and '80s, though few are quite as heavy, intergalactic and intoxicating as "Space Princess". Initially recorded and released in 1978 as the opening track of his jazz-funk focused "Exotic Mysteries" album, the track - a suitably cosmic workout of epic proportions - quickly became a firm dancefloor favourite at both the Loft and Paradise Garage in New York thanks to its extended, Latin-tinged percussion breaks. Here the original DJ promo 12" gets the reissue treatment, with the peerless classic being accompanied by fellow "Exotic Mysteries" cut "Quiet Moments" - a gentle, samba-soaked shuffle through sunrise-ready jazz-funk bliss.

Review: Of Lonnie Liston Smith's many outstanding achievements, his work with The Cosmic Echoes will surely go down in history as his finest. The six-album run from 1973 to 1976 is utterly flawless, and in the midst of it comes Renaissance. This soaring work, which opens up with the heavenly tones of 'Space Lady', sounds as vital now as it did back in 1976, and it's quite remarkable it's never been repressed since the time of its release. Well, sharks be damned, for now this glittering prize of jazz funk is available once again.