Sweet Freedom: Smooth Jazz, Sophisti-Pop & Yacht Rock

Enjoy this new Mixcloud Exclusive! 

The opening quote of this cloudcast is from the online series Yacht Rock, which was invented by J.D. Ryznar in the mid-2000s. He made up the term yacht rock, after he had noticed quite a few connections and similarities between Steely Dan and groups like the Doobie Brothers and Toto. All of them seemed to share members and collaborate frequently with each other and Californian artists like Kenny Loggins and Carly Simon. A lot of the music of the era featured albums with guys on boats on the cover and songs about sailing. Ryznar thought that this type of music sounded really good on a yacht, “because it’s good for relaxing, sitting back and drinking.” And so yacht rock was born. 

Speaking of Steely Dan, their main members Donald Fagen and Walter Becker played on Rosie Vela's 1986 debut album Zazu, which was produced by Gary Katz, who had previously worked with them. Though the album was critically acclaimed, it went largely unnoticed in the U.S.:

“Zazu is a solid pop/rock effort that could be described as an interesting combination of Joni Mitchell and Steely Dan. Vela doesn't have a great voice -- her voice is small and thin, but like jazz great Chet Baker, she demonstrates that you don't have to have a fantastic vocal range to be expressive and deliver a meaningful album.”

(Allmusic.com)

Tracklist: 

Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom (1986)
Lee Ritenour Feat. Eric Tagg – Sunset Drivers (1984)
Rosie Vela – Interlude (1986)
Double – The Captain Of Her Heart (1985)
William Pitt – City Lights (1987)
Mezzoforte – Midnight Sun (1984)
Arlana ‎– When You Call My Name (1983)
Lonnie Liston Smith ‎– Never Too Late (1984)
James Ingram with Michael McDonald ‎– Yah Mo B There (1983)
Eric Tagg – In The Way (1982)
Work Drugs – Miami Nights (2018)
Cecilio & Kapono – Someday (1975)
McGuinn, Clark & Hillman – Little Mama (1979)
Seals & Crofts – When I Meet Them (1971)
The Doobie Brothers – Listen To The Music (1972)
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils – Jackie Blue (1975)
State Cows ‎– Caught In A Landslide (2020)
The Big Dish – Bonafide (1991)
Johnny Hates Jazz ‎– I Don't Want To Be A Hero (1987)
Blue Feather – High Up To The Sky (1982)
Dent May – Sea Salt & Caramel (2020)
Ocean Flaws – Deep Sea Dreaming (2020)