DESCRIPTION
Continuing Mr Bongo’s series exploring the rich catalogue of Sonny Lester’s labels, Funk Reaction from 1977 captures Hammond B3 organ virtuoso Lonnie Smith at his most dancefloor-friendly. Dripping with groove and swagger, the album shifts seamlessly between jazz-funk, cosmic disco, slow-burning soul, and psychedelic consciousness.
After forging his name with George Benson and Lou Donaldson, and releasing standout albums on Blue Note and Columbia, Funk Reaction finds Smith tapping into the disco-funk energy of the late ‘70s. Originally released on Lester Radio Corporation—the successor to Sonny Lester’s Groove Merchant Records—this project feels like a full-band effort, with top-tier musicianship throughout.
The lineup includes Steve Gadd (drums), Bob Babbitt (bass), and Lance Quinn (guitar), with Brad Baker serving as the project’s principal songwriter, arranger and conductor.
The irresistible title track ‘Funk Reaction’ is a superb disco-funk gem, packed with rich grooves and radiant horn lines. ‘All In My Mind’, the album’s only composition from Smith himself, carries a lush, Stevie Wonder-esque soulfulness. Elsewhere, guitarist Richie Hohenburger steps up on the silky floater ‘When The Night Is Right’.
Tracks like ‘For The Love Of It’ and ‘Babbitt’s Other Song’ serve up premium jazz-funk stylings, with Eddie Daniels delivering standout tenor sax performances.
Funk Reaction is a brilliant showcase of Lonnie Smith’s range and inventiveness, and a must-have for fans of The Blackbyrds, CTI/Kudu grooves, and peak-era George Benson.
TRACKLIST
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Funk Reaction
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For The Love Of It
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Babbitt's Other Song
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It's Changed
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When The Night Is Right
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All In My Mind