Cosmos (Lou Donaldson album)

Cosmos is a studio album by American jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson, released in 1976 on the Blue Note label. It marked a significant departure for Donaldson, embracing a sound heavily influenced by disco and funk, moving away from his hard bop and soul jazz roots. The album features a lineup including Donaldson on alto saxophone, Lonnie Smith on keyboards, Wilbur Bascomb on bass, and other musicians contributing to the album's signature sound.

The album's title, Cosmos, reflects its futuristic, space-age aesthetic, a theme carried through in the album's cover art and musical arrangements. While some critics and fans appreciate the album as a bold and adventurous experiment, others view it as a less successful attempt to adapt to the popular musical trends of the time. Key tracks include "You're So Special," which showcases Donaldson's saxophone playing within a disco-funk framework, and other tracks that explore similar sonic territory. Despite mixed reviews upon its initial release, Cosmos remains a notable entry in Lou Donaldson's discography and a document of jazz musicians experimenting with contemporary musical styles.