| Spirits Known and Unknown | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1970 | |||
| Recorded | October 21 & 22, 1969 | |||
| Studio | New York City | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 37:06 | |||
| Label | Flying Dutchman FD/FDS 10115 | |||
| Producer | Bob Thiele | |||
| Leon Thomas chronology | ||||
| ||||
Spirits Known and Unknown , subtitled New Vocal Frontiers, is the debut album by American jazz vocalist and percussionist Leon Thomas recorded in 1969 and released by the Flying Dutchman label. [1] [2] [3] [4]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [5] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | B+ [6] |
AllMusic reviewer Thom Jurek stated: "Leon Thomas' debut solo recording after his tenure with Pharoah Sanders is a fine one. ... Thomas' patented yodel is in fine shape here, displayed alongside his singular lyric style and scat singing trademark... Ultimately, this is among Thomas' finest moments on vinyl, proving his versatility and accessibility to an audience who, for too long already, had associated him too closely with the avant-garde and free jazz". [5] Critic Robert Christgau said "The subtitle, "New Vocal Frontiers," is accurate. Thomas is the only really interesting jazz singer to have appeared in a very long time. He even yodels". [6]
All compositions by Leon Thomas except where noted
Pharoah Sanders was an American jazz saxophonist. Known for his overblowing, harmonic, and multiphonic techniques on the saxophone, as well as his use of "sheets of sound", Sanders played a prominent role in the development of free jazz and spiritual jazz through his work as a member of John Coltrane's groups in the mid-1960s, and later through his solo work. He released more than thirty albums as a leader and collaborated extensively with vocalist Leon Thomas and pianist Alice Coltrane, among many others. Fellow saxophonist Ornette Coleman once described him as "probably the best tenor player in the world".
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Lonnie Liston Smith Jr. is an American jazz, soul, and funk musician who played with such jazz artists as Pharoah Sanders and Miles Davis before forming Lonnie Liston Smith and the Cosmic Echoes, recording a number of albums widely regarded as classics in the fusion, smooth jazz and acid jazz genres.
Karma is a jazz recording by the American tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, released in May 1969 on the Impulse! label, with catalog number AS 9181. A pioneering work of the spiritual jazz style, it has become Sanders' most popular and critically acclaimed album.
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Elevation is a live album by American saxophonist and composer Pharoah Sanders, released in 1973 on the Impulse! label.
Village of the Pharoahs is the eighth album by American saxophonist and composer Pharoah Sanders, released in 1973 on the Impulse! label.
Izipho Zam (My Gifts) is the third album led by American saxophonist Pharoah Sanders. The album was recorded in 1969 but not released on the Strata-East label until 1973. It features Sanders with a large ensemble.
Shukuru is an album led by saxophonist Pharoah Sanders recorded in 1981 and released on the Theresa label in 1985.
Bolivia is a live album by Argentinian jazz composer and saxophonist Gato Barbieri featuring performances recorded in New York in 1973 and first released on the Flying Dutchman label.
The Leon Thomas Album is the second album by American jazz vocalist and percussionist Leon Thomas recorded in 1970 and released by the Flying Dutchman label.
Leon Thomas in Berlin is a live album by the American jazz vocalist and percussionist Leon Thomas with the saxophonist/arranger Oliver Nelson. The album was recorded in 1970 in Berlin and released by Flying Dutchman.
Blues and the Soulful Truth is an album by American jazz vocalist and percussionist Leon Thomas recorded in 1972 and released by the Flying Dutchman label.
Full Circle is an album by American jazz vocalist and percussionist Leon Thomas recorded in 1973 and released by the Flying Dutchman label.
Expansions is an album by keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith, featuring performances recorded in 1974 and released by the Flying Dutchman label the following year.
Visions of a New World is an album by keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith, featuring performances recorded in 1975 and released by the Flying Dutchman label.
Oh Lord, Let Me Do No Wrong is an album led by saxophonist Pharoah Sanders recorded in 1987 and released on Bob Thiele's Doctor Jazz Records label.
Wisdom Through Music is an album by saxophonist Pharoah Sanders. It was recorded in New York City and Los Angeles, California, and was released in 1973 by Impulse! Records. On the album, Sanders is joined by flutist James Branch, pianist Joe Bonner, bassist Cecil McBee, drummer Norman Connors, and percussionists Badal Roy, James Mtume, and Lawrence Killian. The recording was produced by Lee Young, the younger brother of saxophonist Lester Young.