Herbie Hancock - Sunlight (1978)

Previously on OPIUM HUM:
Herbie Hancock - Sextant (1973)
Herbie Hancock - Thrust (1974)
Herbie Hancock - Secrets (1976)

Vocoder, synth, and levels of smoothness previously thought to be humanly impossible.

Track listing:
1. I Thought It Was You
2. Come Running to Me
3. Sunlight
4. No Means Yes
5. Good Question

You don't have to be afraid anymore

You should also listen to:

Ronnie Laws -
Pressure Sensitive (1975)

Dave Valentin -
Land of the Third Eye (1980)

Jaco Pastorius - Jaco Pastorius (1976)

Here's virtuoso bassist Jaco Pastorius' classic solo debut. There's a good deal of variation -- low-key, spaced out improvisations, full-band funk, melancholic vignettes -- so it's stays consistently interesting, and the material is 100% excellent.

Track listing:
1. Donna Lee
2. Come On, Come Over
3. Continuum
4. Kuru/Speak Like a Child
5. Portrait of Tracy
6. Opus Pocus
7. Okonkole Y Trompa
8. (Used to Be A) Cha-Cha
9. Forgotten Love
10. (Used to Be A) Cha-Cha (Alternate Take) [bonus]
11. 6-4 Jam [bonus]

Icefire

Pat Metheny - Bright Size Life (1976)

Solo debut from jazz guitarist Pat Metheny. Recorded when he was just 21, Bright Size Life showcases Metheny's dexterous, crystalline guitar work, and a perfectly understated rhythm section composed of Jaco Pastorius (whose self-titled album I really should have posted by now [EDIT: I did]) and drummer Bob Moses.

Track listing:
1. Bright Size Life
2. Sirabhorn
3. Unity Village
4. Missouri Uncompromised
5. Midwestern Nights Dream
6. Unquity Road
7. Omaha Celebration
8. Round Trip / Broadway Blues

The silence of a candle