Smooth Sailing: Jazzy Pop & Mellow Soul

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Back to the boat and enjoy this new Smooth Sailing trip! The closing track is a Ronnie McNeir cover that is on a fine new compilation, called 'Simply chilled beats'. Next week we will move from the sailing boat to the dance floor again.

Simply one of the greatest guitarists in jazz history, George Benson is an amazingly versatile musician, whose adept skills find him crossing easily between straight-ahead jazz, smooth jazz, and contemporary R&B. Blessed with supreme taste, a beautiful, rounded guitar tone, terrific speed, a marvelous sense of logic in building solos, and, always, an unquenchable urge to swing, Benson's inspirations may have been Charlie Christian and Wes Montgomery, but his style is completely his own. Not only can he play lead brilliantly, he is also one of the best rhythm guitarists around, supportive to soloists and a dangerous swinger, particularly in a soul-jazz format. Yet Benson can also sing in a lush, soulful tenor and it is his voice that has proven more marketable to the public than his guitar.

Thanks to Martijn Soetens for the inspiration!

Tracklist:

Thundercat – Them Changes (2015)
The Bird And The Bee – Los Angeles (2015)
Destroyer – Kaputt (2011)
The Johnssons – What If (2015)
Taste Nasa – Time Goes By (2015)
Arizona – Windwishin' (1977)
Funky Communication Committee – Jump Into The Fire (1980)
Impact – I Thought You Might Like To Know (1977)
Rob Galbraith – Just Be You (1976)
Ace – You’re All That I Need (1977)
Abed Wazir – Curiosity (1980)
Barry Manilow – Let’s Get On With it (1982)
Tony Joe White – Soulful Eyes (1976)
Ray Parker Jr. ‎– I Don't Think That Man Should Sleep Alone (1987)
Jeffrey Osborne – Stay With Me Tonight (1983)
George Benson – Kisses In The Moonlight (1986)
Marvin Gaye – Everybody Needs Love (1978)
Marlena Shaw – Feel Like Making Love (1976)
No Vacation – Love Fool (2015)
Black Mighty Wax Feat. Andy Rise – In The Summertime (2011)


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