Smooth Sailing: Jazz Funk & Chill Out

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Joan Smalls by Matt Jones (I-D Magazine October 2013)
Enjoy this new part of Smooth Sailing! Designated by many as the father of British neo-soul (though his impact extends over to U.S. shores as well), singer/songwriter/producer Omar began as one of the U.K.'s most promising R&B hopefuls with his early-'90s international hit ‘There's nothing like this.’ However, unintentionally avoiding pop stardom, he chose never to compromise his artistic credibility, and because of that, people like India.Arie, Erykah Badu, Angie Stone, Gilles Peterson, and his biggest idol, Stevie Wonder, have all endorsed him as personal fans (with the prior three naming him as an influence). Although he gets thrown into the R&B category, Omar has no real definitive boundaries. In interesting new ways with each album, he has molded soul and urban music to fit his wide variety of influences, including ragga, hip-hop, funk, jazz-pop, rock, and Latin/Caribbean dance. Scratch Professor (no, I’m not related…) has laid his hands on Omar’s latest album ‘The man’, which includes a remake of his classic ‘There’s nothing like this’.

The songs by Peabo Bryson and Sun are from a nice new compilation album called ‘80's Soul Classics # 6 - Sweet Soul Vibes And Funky Club’, which is out on PTG Records. The closing track by Malouines is a free download on Soundcloud.

Tracklist:

Omar – There’s Nothing Like This [Scratch Professor Re-Twist] (2015)
Johnny Hammond – Can’t We Smile (1975)
Patrice Rushen – Yolon (1977)
Bobbi Humphrey – Mestizo Eyes (1975)
Minnie Riperton – Simple Things (1975)
Jill Scott – When I Wake Up (2011)
Idris Muhammad ‎– For Your Love (1980)
Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly ‎– Too Many Games (1980)
Sun – Be My Lady (1982)
Chocolate Milk – Time Machine (1975)
Harvey Mason – Never Give You Up (1979)
George Benson – Give Me The Night (1980)
Tony Sylvester & The New Ingredient ‎– The Magic Touch (1976)
Banda Black Rio – Expresso Madureira (1978)
Jerry Corbetta – Between A Rock And A Hard Place (1978)
Peabo Bryson & D’Atra Hicks – Palm Of Your Hand (1989)
Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio – All In The Way You Get Down [Northern Rascal’s Groove Extension 2011] (1981)
Malouines – The End Of The Innocence [Eddy's Edit] (2015)


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