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)

Eddie Henderson - Mahal (1978)

Previously on OPIUM HUM:
Eddie Henderson - Sunburst (1975)

Funky, synth-y jazz fusion led by trumpeter Eddie Henderson. Certain tracks, such as "Prance On", enter full-on disco territory, while others are super laid-back.

Track listing:
1. Butterfly
2. Cyclops
3. Emotions
4. Prance On
5. Amoroso
6. Mahal
7. Ecstasy
8. Cyclops (Disco Remix)

Pillows and pills

More like this:

Caldera - Time and Chance (1978)

Ramsey Lewis - Sun Goddess (1974)

Charles Earland - Leaving This Planet (1974)

Red-hot, stratosphere-bound fusion led by organist/keyboardist Charles Earland. Includes performances by Freddie Hubbard, Eddie Henderson, Joe Henderson, and many others.

Track listing:
1. Leaving This Planet
2. Red Clay
3. Warp Factor 8
4. Brown Eyes
5. Asteroid
6. Mason's Galaxy
7. No Me Esqueca
8. Tyner
9. Van Jay
10. Never Ending Melody

Searching for the right door

Eddie Henderson - Sunburst (1975)

I'm back from the beach, NYC, and motherfuckin' Towson, baby! Sorry to take off so suddenly on you, but you know I gotta do me. To make it up to you, here's some spaced but hard-hitting jazz-funk from trumpeter Eddie Henderson and company that I recently had the pleasure of listening to while walking around Loch Raven reservoir, high on hydrocodone and muscle relaxers. (I realize that this is the second post in a row in which I've mentioned being high on pills, but I refuse to put effort into these little blurbs, so you can take it or leave it.)

Track listing:
1. Explodition
2. The Kumquat Kids
3. Sunburst
4. Involuntary Bliss
5. Hop Scotch
6. Galaxy
7. We End in a Dream

Omnipresence