Gary Bartz - The Shadow Do! (1975)

Some of that sweet, that funky stuff from jazz saxophonist (and Baltimorean!) Gary Bartz. In addition to handling all vocals and playing synth, he brought in (among others) Michael Henderson, the Mizell brothers, and several members of Mtume, and the results are lush, smooth jazz-funk of the highest order.

Track listing:

1. Winding Roads

2. Mother Nature

3. Love Tones

4. Gentle Smiles (Saxy)

5. Make Me Feel Better

6. Sea Gypsy

7. For My Baby

8. Incident

I'm gonna get ya

More like this:

Dave Valentin - Land of the Third Eye (1980)

George Howard - Asphalt Gardens (1982)

Norman Connors - Dance of Magic (1972)

Phenomenal, far out, funky fusion led by drummer Norman Connors. The title track is a clattering, shimmering, nervously gorgeous masterstroke that borders on full-on free jazz, and while the rest of the record is a bit more in the pocket, it still bursts at the seams with energy and inspiration. As you can see, Connors put together quite the lineup of musicians for Dance of Magic, including Stanley Clarke, Herbie Hancock, and Eddie Henderson.

Track listing:
1. Dance of Magic
2. Morning Change
3. Blue
4. Give the Drummer Some

Twilight zone

Also check out:

Charles Earland -
Leaving This Planet (1974)

Bennie Maupin -
The Jewel in the Lotus (1974)

John Lee & Gerry Brown - Infinite Jones (1974)

Flawless, energetic but spaced jazz-funk/fusion led by bassist John Lee and drummer Gerry Brown. Infinite Jones was the first of a series of excellent collaborations between Lee and Brown. I straight-up cannot fathom being even half as cool as these dudes.

Track listing:
1. Infinite Jones
2. Deliverance
3. Jua
4. Absitively Posolutely
5. Rise On
6. Who Can See the Shadow of the Moon
7. Bamboo Madness

Her celestial body

You would also like:

Herbie Hancock -
Thrust (1974)

Eddie Henderson -
Sunburst (1975)

McCoy Tyner - Expansions (1968)

One of the very best out of many stellar releases from this jazz pianist great, Expansions splits the difference between relatively straightforward hard bop grooves and frantic, atonal avant-garde jazz. I can't even imagine coming close to making music that's this advanced.

Track listing:
1. Vision
2. Song of Happiness
3. Smitty's Place
4. Peresina
5. I Thought I'd Let You Know

The high priest