What makes Visions of a New World by Lonnie Liston Smith notable?

The album is notable for its innovative fusion of jazz, funk, and R&B elements, contributing significantly to the development of acid jazz. Its title track, Visions of a New World (Phase II), became particularly influential, showcasing Smith's unique ability to merge musical styles while addressing themes of peace and harmony. Released in early 1975, Visions of a New World marked Lonnie Liston Smith's third album and solidified his position within the jazz fusion movement. Following the success of his previous album, Astral Traveling, Smith continued to explore spiritual themes and complex compositions that defined his sound during this period.

How many songs are on Visions of a New World?

Visions of a New World has 8 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

Visions of a New World

Lonnie Liston Smith · 1975

34 min · 8 tracks · funk

A vibrant blend of jazz-funk and cosmic soul that transports listeners to a transcendent auditory landscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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A Chance for Peace — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its soothing melodies and intricate layering, embodying the essence of Smith's vision for tranquility through music.
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Love Beams — With its lush instrumentation and uplifting grooves, this track exemplifies Smith's knack for blending soulful rhythms with jazz improvisation, creating an inviting atmosphere.
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Visions of a New World (Phase II) — This pivotal track encapsulates the album's overarching theme of enlightenment and hope, featuring ethereal sounds that transport listeners into a meditative state.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

66 /100

Alpine

Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album blends jazz and funk with strong instrumental focus, showcasing distinct themes and improvisational depth.

What we noticed

The album opens with a slow, atmospheric track that gradually introduces layers of instrumentation, building up to a more rhythmic groove by the second track.
Each track features extended instrumental sections, allowing for improvisation and exploration within the jazz-funk framework.
The title track is split into two parts, with the first part establishing a melodic theme that is developed further in the second part, creating a cohesive narrative across both tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 A Chance for Peace 5:24
2 Love Beams 4:09
3 Colors of the Rainbow 3:49
4 Devika (Goddess) 5:18
5 Sunset 4:22
6 Visions of a New World (Phase I) 2:10
7 Visions of a New World (Phase II) 3:44
8 Summer Nights 5:05

What to play next

Listen next

Reflections of a Golden Dream

1976

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Expansions

1975

Full Lonnie Liston Smith discography Artists like Lonnie Liston Smith

funk jazz fusion

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