LONNIE LISTON SMITH — Dreams of Tomorrow (review)

LONNIE LISTON SMITH — Dreams of Tomorrow album cover Album · 1983 · Fusion Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
FunkFreak75
On this 1983 release Lonnie celebrates his reunion with his long-time champion, producer Bob Thiele, who encouraged Lonnie to take on his solo career back in the Pharoah Sanders years. Bob is now the head of his own label, Doctor Jazz, and this is the first of a series of albums the two would collaborate--producing what some believe is Lonnie's best stretch of music in his career.

1. "A Lonely Way to Be" (4:34) seems to preview George Benson's 1980 release, Give Me Night with its monster hit of the title song. (8.75/10)

2. "Mystic Woman" (4:40) great opening with its funky sound palette and hard-driving funk beat. Again, I feel as if we're getting a preview of George Benson's next album. Marcus Miller's dynamic bass play seems to have injected some kind of joy juice into Lonnie's veins cuz I haven't heard this kind of energy and enthusiasm in his keyboard play in an album or two. (9.25/10)

3. "The Love I See in Your Eyes" (3:40) here we move back to the BOB JAMES style and palette of melodic vocal-less song covers with the simple Bob James-like piano lead over some smooth jazz music. It's very pleasant and eminently enjoyable but nowhere as adventurous as the old Lonnie. The most exciting thing about this song is, of course, the wonderful bass play of Marcus Miller. (8.875/10)

4. "Dreams of Tomorrow" (4:18) old style Lonnie supporting the incredible singing voice of Donald Miller--here in one of his best recorded performances to date. The music is sparse but perfect in its support of both of the Smith brothers, with some really cool (and different) tom-tom sound and play helping to populate the background. Incredible! Plus, the world-harmonizing lyrics are back! Man! I've missed these! (9.5/10)

5. "Never Too Late" (5:21) more George Benson- or Narada Michael Walden-sounding radio-oriented music with Donald singing the pop lyric. (8.875/10)

6. "Rainbows of Love" (4:13) nice upbeat, uptempo Smooth Jazz with all kinds of hooks to try to keep you engaged. (/10)

7. "Divine Light" (3:35) very pleasant piano-led song with Lonnie tickling the ivories in their very upper registers. Great performances from the congas, rhythm guitar, and, of course, bass as well as some smooth soprano sax from long-time collaborator David Hubbard. (9/10)

8. "A Garden of Peace" (3:10) beautiful melody--heart-wrenching like a Satie or Vangelis song. One for the ages. (9.75/10)

Total Time: 33:31

Some incredibly beautiful highs in "Mystic Woman," "Dreams of Tomorrow," "Divine Light," and "Garden of Peace" whereas the others feel somewhat hollow or imitative.
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