| Spirits Known and Unknown | |
| Type: | Album |
| Artist: | Leon Thomas |
| Cover: | Spirits Known and Unknown.jpg |
| 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 |
| Chronology: | Leon Thomas |
| Next Title: | The Leon Thomas Album |
| Next Year: | 1970 |
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]
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". 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".
All compositions by Leon Thomas except where noted