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For The Love Of Disco

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Enjoy this cloudcast that was made for the love of disco, exactly 40 years after Disco Demolition Night.

Huffington Post says about The APX that the duo "drops funk that goes beyond good and hits excellent." Legendary musician Teddy Riley calls the group "Incredible!", Kiss 104 FM Atlanta says "The APX is keeping REAL funk alive!", and Creative Loafing describes their music as "Saturated in the funk... while still blazing trails of their own design!"

Despite their well-deserved reputation and boisterous, jubilant harmonies and sound, the Trammps were never a huge commercial success in the US, even during disco's heyday. They share this injustice with many other representatives of the so-called Philly sound, although the Trammps had a handful of hits in Europe, like Shout and Hold Back The Night. Body Contact Contract from their album Disco inferno was never released as single, but surely could have been one!

Tracklist:

Shaka Loves You – Dis…
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Mellow Mellow FM Radio: Easy Going

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Easy going on the first episode of mellow mellow retro radio! Quite a few songs are so-called "blasts from the past", but the tracks by Yung Bae, Wizaard, Work Drugs and State Cows are brand new. Enjoy!

I chose to play Sand In Your Shoes by Al Stewart ("The summer sun beats on and on"). This is what is to read on Allmusic.com about his timeless masterpiece Year Of The Cat:
"One of those albums you can play at any time. Uplifting, melodic and, should you need it, full of engaging stories."
Tracklist:

Lowrell – Mellow Mellow Right On (1979)
Yung Bae – Pacific Standard Time (2019)
Wizaard – Green Dollar Bills (2019)
Pages – Let It Go (1978)
Lemuria – All I’ve Got To Give (1978)
Al Stewart – Sand In Your Shoes (1976)
Kathe Green – Beautiful Changes (1976)
Chaka Khan – What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me (1981)
Randy Crawford – Look Who’s Lonely Now (1982)
Work Drugs – L.A. Looks (2019)
Robert John – Sad Eyes (1979)
Daryl Hall & John Oates – One On One (1982)
Larsen-Feiten Band …
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Late Evening Lounge Break

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Enoy this late evening lounge break! Marcos Valle, the 75-years old musician from Rio returns to his 1970s and 1980s roots with a new album of feel-good Brazilian party music. Sempre features Azymuth bassist Alex Malheiros, a horn section including Valle’s original trumpeter Jesse Sadoc, and percussion giant Armando Marcal. The album is, according to his record label, "fresher than a fruity caipirinha in the Copacabana sunshine". Out on Friday the 28th of June.

Tracklist:

Millie Jackson – (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want To Be Right (1974)
Imaani – Let's Do It Right (2014)
Macebo Feat. Laura Philips – Ain’t No Sunshine (2019)
Moods Feat. HIGH HØØPS – Comfortable (2018)
Fac.15 Feat. Cathi Ogden – Rainy Days and Mondays (2001)
StoneBridge Feat. Therese – Put 'Em High [Claes Rosen Lounge Mix] (2004)
Groove Armada – My Friend (2001)
The Fatback Band – Gotta Learn How To Dance (1975)
Patrice Rushen – Hang It Up (1978)
Reel People – I Need Your Lovin’ (2018)
Soulpersona & Pr…
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Summertime Sketches by The Smooth Operators

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Soon The Smooth Operators (Martijn Soetens and I) will return with a new mixtape soon and our first draft is now available for Mixcloud subscribers only. Enjoy!

Quiet Village is named after the track of the same name by Les Baxter. He is a pianist who composed and arranged for the top swing bands of the 1940s and 1950s, but he is better known as the founder of exotica, a variation of easy listening that glorified the sounds and styles of Polynesia, Africa, and South America, even as it retained the traditional string-and-horn arrangements of instrumental pop. Exotica became a massively popular trend in the 1950s, with thousands of record buyers listening to Baxter, Martin Denny, and their imitators. Baxter also pioneered the use of the electronic instrument the theremin, which has a haunting, howling sound. The exotica sounds make you think of tropical islands, blue seas and sandy beaches. Some of the tropical ingredients were copied by Dr. Buzzards Original Savannah Band and more se…
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Warm Weather Slow Disco Vibes

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Some warm weather slow disco vibes to celebrate the start of summer and the fact that I have reached 2 million plays on Mixcloud today! The vibes contain jazz-funk, soul ballads and a bit of nu-disco pop.

Rikki Aaron are Dave Watson and Stan O'Donnell from Bristol, Connecticut. Their three singles on their label RAC stayed under the radar during the early 1980s. Their just released album What’s On Your Mind, a collection of those singles and previously unreleased songs will hopefully give them the attention they deserve!

Tracklist:

Feater Feat. Vilja Larjosto – Time Million (2019)
World Champion – Skyline (2019)
Lemonade – Dancer On The Shore (2015)
Ralph MacDonald ‎– Calypso Breakdown (1976)
Aldorande – Beautiful Island (2019)
Rikki Aaron – Young Man (1980s/2019)
Lou Rawls – Some Folks Never Learn (1977)
Pat Lundy ‎– Let's Get Down To Business (1976)
1969å¹´ – Shampoo Island (2019)
Blue Feather – Who Will Be The One (1985)
Arlana ‎– When You Call My Name (1983)
Solution – It’s Only Just B…
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Welcome To The Funky Chill Out Room

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What’s a funky chill out room? In short, it’s a room where you can hear delicate funky music on which you can move your toes, fingers and head, but not both your feet. Or, in other words, it’s soulful music in a private room and not in a crowdy discotheque. The mood bounces between chill out and slow dancing. It’s musically a relaxed melting pot of soul, funk, pop, latin, lounge and jazz. Welcome to the funky chill out room!

All the songs on the 1977 Moment of Truth album were co-written, produced, arranged and conducted by Norman Bergen, who also co-wrote Only a fool (breaks his own heart) by the Mighty Sparrow. The most obscure track At Long Last was sampled on Friends by Snoop Dogg in 2001. They looped his instrumental intro and put a new song over it.

Tracklist:

Gilberto Gil ‎– Maracatú Atômico (1974)
ABC Dialect – Magic (2019)
[Re:Jazz] – Keep On Moving (2006)
Fania All Stars – Picadillo [Eddy's Edit] (1976)
Moment Of Truth – At Long Last (1977)
Ralfi Pagan ‎– Didn’t Want To Have T…
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Seventies Grooves From The Crates

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Enjoy this new part of Grooves from the crates! One of the tracks is Spring Again by Lou Rawls from his 1977 album Unmistakably Lou:
"Lou Rawls was riding another hot streak in the late '70s, his career rejuvenated by a string of fine albums and singles on the Philly International label. This was the follow-up to his huge hit LP All Things in Time. He only had one R&B chart song from the album, but in ways, his vocals are superior to those on the prior album. Where the Gamble/Huff production team's efforts on the preceding project rivaled Rawls' vocals, he took the spotlight this time, while their arrangements and productions were more on the subdued side."(Allmusic.com)

Tracklist:

The Temptations – Bare Back (1977)
Marvin Gaye – You’re The Man (1973)
The Undisputed Truth – I Saw You When I Met Her (1975)
100% Pure Poison ‎– You Keep Coming Back (1974)
C.J. & Co – Devil’s Gun [Original Mix] (1977)
The O’Jays – Message In Our Music (1976)
Lou Rawls – Spring Again …
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Exclusive! AOR Radio: Final Episode

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One last episode to say goodbye to the series that I started 5 years ago. Enjoy!

Tracklist:

Paul Davis – Somebody’s Getting To You (1981)
Robert John – Sad Eyes (1979)
Daryl Hall & John Oates – One On One (1982)
Larsen-Feiten Band ‎– Who'll Be The Fool Tonight (1980)
David Loggins – If I Had My Wish Tonight (1979)
England Dan & John Ford Coley – Keep Your Smile (1979)
Rory Block – Help Me Baby (1977)
Byrne & Barnes – Love You Out Of Your Mind (1981)
Amy Holland – Strengthen My Love (1980)
Fred Knoblock – A Bigger Fool (1980)
Bruce Hibbard – Never Turnin' Back (1980)
Bruce Roberts – S’ Good Enuff (1980)
Roby Duke – Seasons Of Change (1982)
Ali Thomson – Foolish Child (1981)
Steely Dan – Peg (1977)
Erik Tagg – Got To Be Loving You (1977)
Dick St. Nicklaus – Born To Love You (1979)
Patti Austin & James Ingram – Baby Come To Me (1983)
Bobby Martin – Don’t Give Up (1983)
Michael McDonald – Love Lies (1982)
Marilyn Scott – First Time (1983)
The Boys Band – Think About It (1982)

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Smooth Sailing: Cruising & Prepartying

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We’re cruising, just like Motown legend Smokey Robinson, enjoy the preparty!
"One of Robinson's best sides ever, "Cruisin'" floated to up to number four on both the R&B and pop charts in fall 1979, pushing Warm Thoughts into the R&B Top Four and the pop Top 14." (Allmusic.com)The Gameby Soulpersona & Princess Freesia was made in a minimal studio, which is essentially a spare room in their flat. It was recorded and composed using only headphones so as not to wake the neighbours. The album was financed by their supporters through crowdfunding where they managed to reach and exceed their target in just 28 days.

Tracklist:

Linx – So This Is Romance (1980)
Chicago ‎– Just You 'N' Me (1973)
Atlanta Rhythm Section ‎– So Into You [Rodney Justo Mix] (1979)
Steve Miller Band ‎– Fly Like An Eagle [Disco Syndicate's Easy Ease Edit] (1976)
Bee Gees ‎– Love You Inside Out [Gazeebo Edit] (1979)
Earth, Wind & Fire – Shining Star (1975)
Ira Nepus ‎– Tr…
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Funky Chill Out Beach Vibes

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Rollercoaster by Everything but the Girl is originally from their 1994 album Amplified Heart. It brought the couple to mainstream audiences via the dance remix of the song Missing by Todd Terry. Ultimately peaking at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in early 1996, the remix spent more than a year gaining airplay and exposing Everything but the Girl to US and worldwide audiences. Eventually Amplified Heart sold around 232,000 copies in the United States. It went on to sell over a million copies worldwide. Ben Watts and Tracey Thorn are currently inactive as a duo, although they occasionally work together. Tracy Thorn released Record two years ago.

Enjoy these funky chill out beach vibes to get in the mood for the summer!

Tracklist:

Carol Welsman – What A Fool Believes (2007)
Everything But The Girl – Rollercoaster (1994)
Zeb – Brazilenco (2001)
Democustico – Rejoycing (2006)
[Re:Jazz] – People Hold On [Alternate Acapella Take] (2004)
Pink Martini & Saori Yuki – Mas Que …
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Get Down With That Funky Beat

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Marvin Gaye's You're the Man was intended to be the follow-up album to his masterpiece What's Going On, but after the release of the title track as the first single, Gaye withdrew its entire release. This was in part due to the poor sales of the song, as well as the fact that Gaye's political views were different to those of Motown boss Berry Gordy. For these reasons, You're the Man was long considered a "lost" album. Last month it has finally been released to celebrate what would have been Gaye's 80th birthday on April 2. It is still a pity that it took so long. I chose to play the funky track The World Is Rated X.

Enjoy this funky disco party!

Tracklist:

Tuxedo – The Tuxedo Way (2019)
Grey & Hanks – Dancin’ (1978)
Thelma Houston – Don't Know Why I Love You (1977)
Teddy Pendergrass – The More I Get, The More I Want (1977)
Soul Survivors – Expressway (To Your Heart) (1967)
MFSB – Let’s Go Disco (1975)
Archie Bell & the Drells – Where Will You Go…
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Smooth Sailing: Slow Disco, Mellow Soul & Folk Funk

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The opening track, Cafe Tropical from Ukraine's Vincent Inc and regular collaborator Lola Allen is an extraordinaire slow disco track, complete with laidback guitar that echoes seventies jazz-funk, easy listening-styled voices and on top of that a gloriously cheesy eighties sax line to finish it off.

Who? by Odyssey is a ‘one single only’ disco project from Greek synthesizer player and movie composer Vangelis Papathanassiou (Chariots of fire), who is also known for his work with Aphrodite’s Child. Former singer of that band, Demis Roussos, sang this song as well a couple of years later. He called it I dig you. The guys from Odyssey make it a vulnerable disco song, but Demis did it with more self-confidence and power, which gave the song a total different meaning.

Enjoy this new sunny part of Smooth Sailing!


Tracklist:

Vincent Inc & Lola Allen РCaf̩ Tropical (2019)
Donna Summer – State Of Independence (1982)
Alessi – Jagged Edge (1982)
Ian Matthews – Man In The Station (1978)
Mi…
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Too Slow To Disco Neo En France SPECIAL

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This cloudcast is inspired by DJ Supermarkt’s new part of his Too Slow To Disco compilation series that came out last Friday. The critically acclaimed and hugely succesful series used to focus on AOR, yacht rock and West Coast pop, but En France is a collection of contemporary French lazy disco songs that refer to Daft Punk and Air, for instance. One of the tracks I selected is Lomboy’s Loverboy, which is on the album as well:
“French culture has always prized the distinct, the colourful, the melodic – in everything from music to food to fashion. Their films (and their equally delectable soundtracks) have been unabashedly driven by big ideas and unforgettable melodies. Their pop music has always had Anglo-American heroes, but taken its own form, often more dandy-ish, erotic and daring… So welcome back to France – chic but not Chic, yet always ready to dance. The best music is always a patchwork of ideas, borrowed, reinterpreted and remade. A long-distance love affair between artists wh…
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AOR Radio: California Grooves

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Enjoy the late seventies, early eighties sound of Californian AOR Radio!

The tracks by Thelma Houston and Judy Pollak & 33 1/3 are from a brand new Japanese compilation album, called Bitter Grooves: Mellowness Pre-AOR Styled Soul, out on P-Vine Records.

Next time there will be a special about the new part of the Too Slow To Disco album series, called Neo En France.

Tracklist:

Thelma Houston – No Love In The Morning (1980/2017)
Chicago – Street Player [Eddy’s Edit] (1979)
Pablo Cruise ‎– Whatcha Gonna Do? (1977)
Trombone Shorty ‎– Long Weekend (2013)
Stephanie Mills ‎– Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin' (1979)
The Commodores – Girl, I Think The World About You (1976)
Judy Pollak And 33 1/3 ‎– Come With Me (1977)
Work Drugs – Shadow Fall (2019)
Brent Cash – I Think I'm Falling In Love (2008)
Pages – Who’s Right, Who’s Wrong (1979)
Ambrosia – Biggest Part Of Me (1980)
Nielsen/Pearson – If You Should Sail (1980)
Exile – Kiss You All Over (1978)
Marti Caine – Love Is Running Through Me (1981)
…
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The Disco Couch: Soul, Lounge & Bossa

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This time we’re going to relax with some well-known disco songs at a slower pace. The reversed version (“The Disco Couch Classcis”) will be available for Mixcloud subscribers soon. Enjoy!

Tracklist:

United Rhythms Of Brazil – Super Freak (2011)
Beverley Knight – Say I’m Your Number One (2011)
Fil-à-Fil – Just An Illusion (2010)
Anthony Strong – You To Me Are Everything (2019)
Four Tops ‎– MacArthur Park [Part II] (1971)
David Cassidy ‎– Get It Up For Love (1975)
Harpers Bizarre ‎– Knock On Wood (1969)
Banda Do Sul Feat. Natascha – Night Fever (2011)
Trijntje Oosterhuis & Leonardo Amuedo – Never Can Say Goodbye (2009)
Starbossa – Spacer (2011)
Ṣo Vicente Feat. Natalie Renoir РDaddy Cool [PH Edit Lounge Reprise] (2011)
Se̱or Coconut & His Orchestra РBeat It (2008)
Nekta – Hot Stuff (2010)
Os Digitalistas Feat. Xoanna Guilmaray – Lady Marmalade (2011)
Tar̢ntulas РSaiba Ser Feliz (Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough) (1981)
Cassandra Beck – Da Ya Think I’m Sexy (2008)
Stanley Turrentine …
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Smooth Sailing: Soft Rock, Slow Disco & Jazz Funk

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In the autumn I will be 10 years on Mixcloud and this spring we are celebrating 5 years of Smooth Sailing with some highlights from previous episodes. The track by The Converters is from the brand new compilation Greg Belson’s Divine Disco 2, out on Record Store Day this Saturday:
“Although gospel and disco music seem like polar opposites—one is secular while the other has embraced a hedonistic culture—the marriage of the two genres has birthed the uplifting spirituality and dance floor thump found in gospel disco. By the mid‐'70s many established and independent gospel artists started creating records with a tight four‐on‐the‐floor beat that touched both churchgoers as well as patrons of the drug‐fueled establishments of the '70s.”(Cultures of Soul)

Tracklist:

Harvey Mason – Kauai (1979)
Limousine – Columbus (2019)
Nimbus ‎– Children Of The Earth (1980)
Camino 84 ‎– Yacht Rock Breaks 2 01 Side B (2019)
Herb Alpert – Rotation (1979)
Toto – Africa [Ninja Sex Party Edit] (1982)
Boz Scag…
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Catching A Wave: Folk Funk, Yacht Rock & Mellow Pop by The Smooth Operators

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For this new mixtape The Smooth Operators (Martijn Soetens and I) explore the soul in folk, pop and rock music. We share some folk funk favorites, psychedelic trippers and yacht rock gems, all mellow as a morning breeze.

Tracklist:

Kieran White – Cajun Moon (1975)
Odyssey – Our Lives Are Shaped By What We Love (1972)
Jorge Darden – Alone Again (1970s)
Minnie Riperton – Simple Things (1975)
Crosby, Stills & Nash – Dark Star (1977)
Portis Brothers – Summer Love, Pt. 1 (1970s)
Sergio Mendes & Brazil '66 – Righteous Life (1971)
Jon Lucien – Who Will Buy (1970)
Roberta Flack – I Wanted It Too (1974)
Henson – Part-Time Lady (1974)
Rob Mehl – House On The Rock (1980)
Laura Nyro – Blackpatch (1970)
Bill Withers ‎– Sweet Wanomi (1971)
Greg Yoder – Things Were So Easy (1976)
Lyn Christopher – Take Me With You (1973)
Jorge Calderon – City Music (1976)
Shuggie Otis – Aht Uh Mi Hed (1974)
Steve Maii And Teresa Bright ‎– Catching A Wave (1983)
Lemuria – All I’ve Got To Give (1978)
Al Stewart – Midas Shado…
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AOR Radio: Mellow Music Breeze

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Enjoy the mellow sound on AOR Radio! Desmond Child started his career with then girlfriend Maria Vida (Body Rock) as the R&B influenced band Desmond Child & Rouge, but he is most famous for his work as a songwriter. He wrote dozens of hits, like Kiss's I Was Made for Lovin' You, Bon Jovi's You Give Love a Bad Name and Aerosmith's Dude (Looks Like a Lady), which was first called Cruisin’ for the Ladies. After the guys from Aerosmith had told Desmond Child a story about the time when they wanted to approach a beautiful woman, who later turned out to be Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil, the title of the song was born. Desmond Child was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008.

Scott Walker, who recently passed away, was the front man of the Walker Brothers in the 1960s. Massive hits were The sun ain't gonna shine anymore and Make it easy on yourself. After their split the man with the striking baritone voice went solo and sang a lot of Jacques Brel son…
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Spring Breeze From The West Coast

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Enjoy this smooth spring soundtrack by The Smooth Operators (Martijn Soetens and I)! We bring you a selection of our favorite Yacht Rock, Blue Eyed Soul and West Coast classics and rarities.

Tracklist:

Camino 84 – Yacht Rock Breaks 02 Part B (2018)
Jaye P. Morgan – Closet Man (1976)
Leon Ware – In My Garden (1981)
Randy Crawford – I Have Ev'rything But You (1981)
Barretto – Here We Go Again (1977)
Pablo Cruise – I Go To Rio (1978)
Jerry Corbetta – Between A Rock And A Hard Place (1978)
Paulinho Da Costa – Seeing Is Believing (1979)
Photoglo – Steal Away (1980)
Carly Simon – Tranquilo (Melt My Heart) (1978)
Larsen-Feiten Band – She’s Not In Love (1980)
The Waters – If There’s A Way (1977)
Byrne & Barnes – Keep On Running (1981)
Bobby Caldwell – Coming Down From Love (1980)
The Jones Girls – This Feeling’s Killing Me (1979)
The Doobie Brothers – Here To Love You (1978)
Robbie Dupree – Hot Rod Hearts (1980)
Sea Level – Living In A Dream (1978)
Ian Wilson – Four In The Morning [Goodking Edit] (1985…
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1000 Disco Nights

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Raquel Rodriguez's We Go Together was first featured on the soul singer's self-released EP The 310, Part 2 that came out in the autumn last year. Z Records boss Dave Lee heard it and decided it would profit from a retro disco make-over from his artistic alter ego, Joey Negro. The razor-sharp disco strings, elastic jazz-funk bass, funky guitar licks and sparkling synthesizer tones sound perfectly natural around the singer’s vocals. Enjoy the 1000 disco nights!

Tracklist:

Sy Smith Featuring Rahsaan Patterson – Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) (2012)
Le Flex – 1000 Nights (2019)
Raquel Rodriguez – We Go Together [Joey Negro Groove Style Dub] (2019)
Cerrone Feat. Jocelyn Brown – Hooked On You [Dim's Old School Of Disco Mix] (2006)
Shaka Loves You – Disco Weapon One (2019)
Midnight Pool Party – Linger [Luke Million Remix] (2014)
Rose Royce – Car Wash (1976)
Yvonne Elliman ‎– If I Can't Have You (1977)
Andy Gibb – Shadow Dancing (1977)
Climax Blues Band ‎– Couldn't Get It Right (19…
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Smooth Sailing Spring Edition: Slow Disco, Yacht Rock & Folk Funk

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This episode of Smooth Sailing celebrates the start of Spring! If you want to hear smooth guitar lines, half-time shuffles, funky bass lines, slick harmonies, real Fender Rhodes, tight horn sections and some California sunshine, then don’t skip the brand new single from Swedish yacht rock band State Cows towards the end of the mix. Enjoy!

Tracklist:

Nils Landgren – I Will Survive (2013)
George Benson ‎– This Masquerade (1976)
Camino 84 – Yacht Rock Breaks 2 Part B (2019)
The Stylistics ‎– You Are Everything (1971)
The Sandpipers – Never Can Say Goodbye (1973)
Jackie & Roy ‎– Didn’t Want To Have To Do It (1966)
Roberta Flack ‎– Feel Like Makin' Love (1975)
Steve Maii And Teresa Bright ‎– Catching A Wave (1983)
Michael Dues – Goodbye Rainbow (1979)
Bonnie Dobson – Milk And Honey (1970)
Cockney Rebel – Hideaway (1973)
Sally Oldfield – Mirrors (1978)
Everything But The Girl – Love Is Strange (1992)
American Gypsy ‎– 10,000 Miles (1974)
The Poppy Family – Free From The City (1968)
Barbara & E…
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More Brazilian Sugar & Classic Latin Soul

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Enjoy this follow-up to Brazilian Sugar: Classci Latin Soul! The Dusty Groove online store wrote about Trio Mocotó’s 1977 self-titled album:
“Trio Mocoto first rose to fame as the funky band behind Jorge Ben on his early 70s classics – the combo that gave him such a soulful sound – and here on their own, they sound pretty darn great – with a style that follows the same evolution as Jorge's own sound at the time! The core elements are still a mix of funk, samba, and soul – but there's also a slightly warmer sound to the production – one that really ties the whole thing together, and maybe gives the group even more force than before! Riffing guitars snap alongside the lively percussion – and the trio trade voices in a mighty nice way – sometimes with a bit of backup from other singers too.”Tracklist:

Copenema – Só Vejo Você (2018)
Cal Tjader – Walk On By (1968)
Herbie Mann & Joao Gilberto With Antonio Carlos Jobim – One Note Samba (1965)
Barbara Gryfe – I’ll Never Fall In Love Ag…
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Boombox 18 Daytime Disco, Electro Pop & Future Funk

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Last week one of the geniuses of the 1980s, Mark Hollis, frontman of Talk Talk passed away. He wrote highly innovative multi-layered pop songs that sounded like a new chapter to music history. Talk Talk’s third album The Colour of Spring with the singles Life's What You Make It (1985) and Living in Another World (1986) was one of the highlights of the decade. Their following album Spirit of Eden was less successful, but became very influential and is now seen as one of the brick stones of post-rock.  Friction with the band's label, EMI, led to the band's switch to Polydor for their final album, 1991's Laughing Stock, but  they split soon afterwards. After one solo album Mark Hollis stepped out of the limelight a few years later.

Enjoy this new part of Boombox and look out for next week's follow-up to Brazilian Sugar.

Tracklist:

Flamingo Pier – Hold It (2019)
Talk Talk – Life’s What You Make It (1985)
Per Ohlson – In Your Eyes (2018)
‎Go West– We Close Our Eyes (1985)
S…
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AOR Radio: Golden Days Of Summer

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My intention was to make a mix that makes you wish for those wonderful summers in a faraway past that won’t return in any kind of way… ;-)

There’s a small tribute to James Ingram, who recently passed away. He began performing with the band Revelation Funk in the early 1970s, moving from Akron, Ohio to Los Angeles in 1973. Ingram supported Ray Charles on the road with backup vocals and piano, played keyboards behind the Coasters on Dick Clark's oldies revues, and was Leon Haywood's musical director. After hearing a demo of him singing Just Once, Quincy Jones asked Ingram to perform on his 1980 album The Dude. The song became Ingram's first success, resulting in two Grammy awards. Throughout the decade, Ingram continued to stay on the charts and sang successful duets with Patti Austin (Baby Come To Me) and Michael McDonald (Yah Mo B There).

Enjoy the golden days of summer episode of AOR Radio! Next up is a new part of Boombox.

Tracklist:

FM-84 – Bend & Break [Eddy’s FM R…
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Chill Out Room by The Smooth Operators

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You’re very welcome at the chill out room, hosted by The Smooth Operators (Martijn Soetens and I)!

Tracklist:

Wayne Shorter – Oriental Folk Song [La Funk Mob Remix] (2004)
Flamingosis – I Met A Funky Lady (2016)
Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 – For What It's Worth (1970)
Angel "Pocho" Gatti Y Su Orguesta ‎– Pajaros Tropicales (1972)
Nick & Samantha – Summer Breeze (2018)
Khari Cabral Simmons Feat. Sabrina Malheiros – Major Bossa (2012)
Pucho And The Latin Soul Brothers – Superfly (1972)
Everything But The Girl ‎– Each & Every One (1984)
Tom & Joyce – Relaxin’ (2002)
Astrud Gilberto – Light My Fire (1970)
Rock Savage РLatin Caf̩ (2008)
Mayra Andrade + Trio Mocotó – Berimbau (2001)
Faze Action – Samba (1999)
Nick Holder ‎– Da Sambafrique (1998)
Yonderboi‎ – Padabam [Paul Légere Remix] (2000)
Ian Pooley – Venasque (2000)
Carmen McRae – How Long Has This Been Going On? [MJ Cole Remix] (2002)

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Smooth Sailing: Early Disco & AM Pop

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“AM Pop delivered songs by most of the best acts of the rock and soul era: the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the powerful Motown and Brill Building stables, Neil Diamond, the Mamas & the Papas, and Simon & Garfunkel, among many others.” (Allmusic.com)At the beginning of the 1960s, AM radio was by far the most popular format. In Europe commercial AM pop was mainly played by pirate stations near the Dutch and British coast. Around the mid-70s stereo hifi equipment replaced the transistor radio and pirate stations were banned by governments. Slowly but surely FM radio that was willing to play album tracks and longer songs took over. The more tightly programmed, singles-oriented AM stations lost even more popularity when disco broke loose and club music started to dominate the charts. The beautiful typical AM sound has become a lost genre since then, although it sometimes pops up with bands like The Sha La Das.

The long lost self-titled Jaye P. Morgan album was recorded in LA at the leg…
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Get Funky Get Down Let’s Jam

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"Get funky, get down, let’s jam" is a quote from Groove On Down by Duncan Pearson, a wonderful disco cult classic in the Barry White/Love Unlimited Orchestra style.

Lion Babe is an American R&B duo from New York City, consisting of singer Jillian Hervey and record producer Lucas Goodman. Following their meeting through a mutual friend, the pair released the single Treat Me Like Fire in 2012, which raised their profile and led them to sign a record deal with Interscope Records. Following the signing, the duo released their self-titled debut EP in 2014. Their new single The Wave is the opening track of this cloudcast. Enjoy!

Tracklist:

LION BABE Feat. Leikeli47 – The Wave (2019)
Melba Moore – Standing Right Here (1977)
Thelma Houston – I'm Here Again [Joey Negro Ready To Roll Mix] (2016)
Lance Ferguson – Brazilian Rhyme (2019)
Cerrone – Music Of Life (1978)
Dunn Pearson Jr. – Groove On Down (1978)
Stevo ‎– Pay The Price (1979)
The Motet – Highly Compatible (2019)
Reel People…
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Fresh Pop For Summer Days

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The Smooth Operators (Martijn Soetens and I) are back with a new mixtape, this time a collaboration with Lost in Zeros and Ones. We bring you fresh modern pop with a touch of soul and disco. Enjoy!

Tracklist:

Roosevelt – Shadows (2018)
Kainalu – Folds Like Origami (2018)
Parcels – Lightenup (2018)
L’Imperatrice – Vanille Fraise (2015)
Joel Sarakula – Parisian Woman (2018)
Garden City Movement – She’s So Untouchable (2017)
Poolside – Which Way To Paradise (2017)
Tom Misch Feat. Poppy Ajudha – Disco Yes (2018)
Rhye – Count To Five [Tensnake Remix] (2018)
Gosto – What Is It Like (2018)
Delv!s – No Ending (2017)
Work Drugs – Magic In The Night (2017)
Video Age – Pop Therapy (2018)
Dan Croll – January (2017)
Two Another – Over My Shoulder (2017)
Redwood Club – Give It A Try (2018)
Ben Browning – Sunshine Baby (2018)
Magdalena Bay – Neon (2017)
Ricky Hollywood – Salut, Je Ne Te Reconnais Pas (2017)
Munk & Mona Lazette – Happiness Juice (2014)
Magic City Hippies – Heart Wants (2016)
Washed Out – Great Escape …
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AOR Radio: Mellowed Out

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“It’s hard to fathom how a middle-aged man could be disappointed with his young, 19-year old girlfriend, particularly when he looks like a member of Steely Dan. If anything, it’s her parents that should be disappointed, because their daughter is dating a guy who either resembles a level 100 Dungeons and Dragons player, or a guy who probably definitely smuggles cocaine for a living.”(Quote from Hello Loser)

Hey Nineteen by Steely Dan is one of the tracks I selected. I also chose to play two tracks from AOR Global Sounds Vol. 4, which came out on Favorite Recordings last week. When Charles Maurice (Pascal Rioux) started the series in 2015, his aim was to share his long time love for the AOR/West Coast/Yacht Rock movement. On the 4th volume, he again dusted off forgotten mellow rock tracks from all over the world that are heavy on influences from funky jazz and soul.

Enjoy this new AOR Radio episode!

Tracklist:

Peter Sarstedt – Mellowed Out (1982)
Arlana ‎– When You Call My Name (1983)
Mario…
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Summer Sweetness: Jazzy & Mellow Beats by The Smooth Operators

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Brazilian drumming legend Ivan ‘Mamão’ Conti has been experimenting and innovating for the last half a century. As one third of cult Rio jazz-funk trio Azymuth, Mamão was at the root of the group’s ‘samba doido’ (crazy samba) philosophy, which warped the traditional samba compass with jazz influences and space age electronics. On his brand new album Poison Fruit (out on Friday January 25), Mamão shows that he still has the skills to make experimental Latin music.

Enjoy this very early taste of summer by The Smooth Operators (Martijn Soetens and I)!

Tracklist:

Ana Caram ‎– Blue Bossa (2001)
John Legend – Love I’ve Never Known (2011)
Ash Reynolds – Under The Moon (2018)
United Future Organization – Friends ... We'll Be [Jazzanova Mix] (1997)
Kali Uchis – Body Language (2018)
The Juju Orchestra ‎– Do It Again (2007)
Sensuàl – Adão E Eva (2008)
Amazonics Feat. Mayla Da Viola – Rock Your Baby (2011)
Lilian Vieira – Longe (2013)
Stefania Dipierro – Softly As In A Morning Sunrise (2016)
Cris Dela…
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Eddy’s Eighties Grooves Part 26: Slow Moves

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"Darlin', don't say a word, cause I already heard
What your body's sayin' to mine
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove
On my mind"(Slow Hand / Pointer Sisters)

The Mexican-American soul singer Raquel Rodriguez, who is on this cloudcast as the second track, is something special, as she draws inspiration from Prince, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Amy Winehouse and Bruno Mars, to create a smooth balance of 70s funk, 80s synths and 90s R&B. Enjoy part 26 of Eddy's Eighties Grooves: songs from and inspired by the 1980s!

Tracklist:

Carlos Bivar РMar̩ (1983)
Raquel Rodriquez – Night’s Over (2018)
Carter & Chanel – Together Forever (1980)
Pointer Sisters – Slow Hand (1981)
Ronnie Milsap – (There’s) No Getting Over Me (1981)
Al Johnson & Jean Carn – I’m Back For More (1980)
Greg Guidry – Gotta Have More Love (1982)
Charms ‎– Givin' It Up (1983)
Spargo – Head Up To The Sky (1980)
Fruitcake – My Feet Won’t Move (1980)
Spandau Ballet – Heaven …
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Brazilian Sugar: Classic Latin Soul

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Enjoy these Latin beats! Señor Coconut And His Orchestra is led by Uwe Schmidt and inspired by his move from Germany to Santiago, Chile. The Señor Coconut project revisits classics of the 70s and 80s, reinterpreting them with a Latin flair. The project began as Señor Coconut (Uwe Schmidt on his own). Señor Coconut Y Su Conjunto is also Uwe Schmidt. "Y Su Conjunto" means "And His Band" in Spanish, but in fact, the "band" consists of an Akai MPC3000 and S6000.

Next up is a new part of Eddy's 80s Grooves!

Tracklist:

Fania All Stars – Intro (1973)
Sabrina Malheiros – Salve O Mar (2017)
Nouvelle Vague – Dance With Me (2006)
Stelvio Cipriani – Le Cerbiatte (1972)
Jean Honeymoon – The Way You Looked At Me (2017)
Alessandro Alessandroni – Mitzi (1974)
Edu Lobo – Viola Fora De Moda (1972)
Joyce – Aldeia De Ogum (1980)
Jorge Ben ‎– Oba, La Vem Ela (1976)
El Chicano ‎– Viva Tirado (1970)
Señor Coconut And His Orchestra ‎– Smooth Operator (2003)
Piero Piccioni – Amanda’s Tra…
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More Late Night Seventies Soul by The Smooth Operators

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Enjoy this mixtape with more classic & rare soul from the 1970s, selected by The Smooth Operators.

Tracklist:

Archie Bell & The Drells – Don’t Let Love Get You Down (1976)
Marvin Gaye – Come Get To This (1973)
The Emotions – So I Can Love You (1970)
The Main Ingredient – Let Me Prove My Love To You (1975)
Donny Hathaway – Love, Love, Love (1973)
The Staple Singers – I’ll Take You There (1972)
Luther Ingram – Get To Me (1978)
The Four Tops – Strung Out For Your Love (1976)
Ann Peebles – I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down (1974)
The Jacksons – That’s What You Get (For Being Polite) (1978)
The Love Unlimited Orchestra – Strange Games & Things (1976)
Al Wilson – Touch And Go (1973)
The Isley Brothers – Love The One You're With (1971)
Joe Simon – Drowning In The Sea Of Love (1971)
Dennis Coffey And Luchi De Jesus – At The Beach (1974)
Odyssey – Battened Ships (1972)
Shuggie Otis – Aht Uh Mi Hed (1974)
Rasa – Within The Sound (1979)
Phyllis Hyman – Soon Come Again [Extended Version] (1978)
Phil…
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Sweet Inspiration: Bubblegum Soul From The Seventies

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Pop radio in the 1970s was a delightfully diverse thing. Tune in your transistor to a Top 40 station and you’d hear everything from easy listening to acid rock. But lost amidst the mythology of that tempestuous time are dozens of sweet, catchy, lightning-in-a-bottle hit records. Nowadays we call them bubblegum or sugar pop. It is a genre of pop music with an upbeat sound contrived and marketed to appeal to pre-teens and teenagers, which may be produced in an assembly-line process, driven by producers and often using unknown singers. In short, songs that were meant to become hits or at least meant to enjoy a large audience. So in a way the premanufactured sound of Motown (“the hit factory”) and even the Philly sound of Gamble and Huff could be called bubblegum for a great part as well, although there are many exceptions, of course. Best example of Motown’s bubbblegum are the Jackson 5 who did not play and hardly sang themselves (The Ron Hicklin Singers did) on their first records. The…
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After Hours Funky Chill Out

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To paraphrase Chromeo, the subtitle of this cloudcast could have been: Don’t sleep… yet…

According to Urban Dictionary after hours...
“...sometimes means after party, but it usually means a more mellow gathering of friends rather than a rowdy party. Basically, it's whatever you're doing after the bars close.” Enjoy these songs meant for the early hours, like the ones on New Year’s Eve, after a night of heavy clubbing…

Tracklist:

Incognito – That's The Way Of The World [Ski Oakenfull Vs Incognito Remix] (2007)
Cl̩a Vincent РSamba (2017)
Bah Samba Feat. Isabel Fructuoso ‎– Calma [Louie Vega Remix] (2005)
River Ocean – Love And Happiness [Sao Benitez Sun Rise Mix] (2001)
Nick Holder ‎– Da Sambafrique (1998)
George Duke – Brazilian Love Affair (1979)
Michael Jackson – Thriller [Soulpersona Extended Version] (1982/2018)
Reel People – I Need Your Lovin’ (2018)
Man Sueto – Man Sueto Theme [LTJ Xperience Rework] (2018)
Lee McDonald – We've Only Just Begun [TM Juke Mix] (2006)
Dubble D –…
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