Smooth Sailing: Laid-Back Rock & Soulful Pop

Joan Smalls Instagram

Uh, laid-back rock? Soulful pop? What kind of music to expect then? Well, this is probably the most archetypical yacht rock mix that I’ve done so far. Yacht rock has been made famous by acts like The Doobie Brothers (Michael McDonald), Loggins & Messina, Steely Dan and Hall & Oates. DJ Supermarkt, known for his 'Too slow to disco' compilations, calls it 'music you can almost dance to'... 

This Smooth Sailing episode is partly based on the top 100 yacht rock by Hello Loser. Hello It's Me by Todd Rundgren is on the list:

“Hello It’s Me” takes us through an awkward breakup phone call with a girl, except this time it’s the guy who still wants to be friends. What makes the breakup so awkward is that he actually wants to give the girl her “freedom” which makes it sound more like a hostage situation than a loving relationship.

Enjoy this new episode of Smooth Sailing! Next week we disembark and go straight to the dance floor.

Tracklist:

Kenny Loggins – This Is It [Montauk Edit] (1979)
Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom (1986)
The Rippingtons Featuring Russ Freeman ‎– Tourist In Paradise (1989)
Bertie Higgins – Key Largo (1981)
Pablo Cruise – Love Will Find A Way (1978)
Loggins & Messina – Angry Eyes (1972)
Ned Doheny – Each Time You Pray (1976)
Johnny Mathis & Dionne Warwick – Got You Where I Want You (1982)
Paul Davis – Medicine Woman (1976)
Samantha Sang – Emotion (1977)
Firefall – Just Remember I Love You (1977)
Commodores – Easy (1977)
Bobby Caldwell ‎– What You Won't Do For Love (1978)
Dave Mason – We Just Disagree (1977)
Michael Martin Murphy – Wildfire (1975)
Orleans – Still The One (1976)
Todd Rundgren ‎– Hello It's Me (1972)
Steve Winwood – Back In the High Life Again (1986)
Mr. Mister – Broken Wings (1985)
Duran Duran – Rio (1982)