I've really enjoyed reading this old thread, and have spent several hours digging into a very large pile of Lacy records.
A few that have not been mentioned very much or at all.
Steve Lacy Quintet - Follies (SAJ 18) Recorded live in Berlin in 1977. Slightly brittle recording but very fine performance. 'Esteem' is outstanding with one of my favourite Steve Potts solos.
The Crust on Emanem is Lacy, Potts and Kent Carter with Derek Bailey and John Stevens is very good and the notes reveal that the song 'Flakes' is an "ice-skating piece for Mark Rothko"
Lumps on ICP with Maarten Altena, Han Bennink and Michel Waisvisz on electronics. The quackiest version of 'The New Duck" ever.
Raps on Adelphi Jazz Line. A quartet with Potts, Johnson and a bass player called Ron Miller who I know nothing about. Recorded in NYC in 1977 and well produced by Michael Cuscuna. A very powerful record. The notes describe Oliver Johnson's playing as "nothing short of explosive" and I have to agree.
A few nice 70s solo albums: Solo on Emanem from 1972, Stabs on SAJ from 1975, Crops on Quark from 1976 (reissued as Hooky), and Clinkers on Hat Art from 1977.
It's very hard to pick my favourite Lacy records but they would probably be: NY Capers, The Way, Sortie, School Days, Raps, Evidence, The Door, Prospectus, Bye-Ya, Catch, and Sands.
And then there's all those great records with Mal Waldron.....