Smooth Sailing: Spaced Out Jazz-Funk & Sophisticated Soul
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Johnny Bristol – Love Takes Tears (1975)
This Johnny Bristol track was covered by British jazz-funk band The Real Thing in 1982. Johnny Bristol wrote songs for the Motown factory for many years before he went solo in 1974.
Norman Connors – Captain Connors (1978)
Jazz drummer Norman Connors crossed over to the R&B market with his superb album This is your life. The track Captain Connors can be found on it.
Demis Roussos – I Dig You (1977)
Originally called Who and done by Odyssey, a ‘one single only’ disco project from synthesizer player and movie composer Vangelis Papathanassiou (Chariots of fire). Greek singer Demis Roussos did a cover version a couple of years later and called it I dig you. He did it with more self-confidence which gave the song something extra.
Stanley Turrentine – Evil Ways (1976)
Saxophonist Stanley Turrentine played with many legendary jazz musicians, like Ray Charles and John Coltrane. He died in 2000.
The Lewis Express – Hawkshaw Philly (2018)
Released on Leeds jazz & soul label ATA Records, the debut LP from The Lewis Express takes the rich legacy of the soul-jazz outfits of the 1960s as the initial blueprint of their sound. Taking inspiration from the likes of Ramsey Lewis, Young-Holt, Eddie Cano, Ray Bryant and Cannonball Adderley, they present a collection of tracks that range from introspective spy film themes to burning Brazilian jazz.
Dee Clark – Ride A Wild Horse (1975)
Dee Clark (born November 7, 1938, Blytheville, Arkansas, USA – died December 7, 1990, Smyrna, Georgia, USA) was an American soul singer best known for a string of R&B and pop hits in the late 1950's and early 1960's.
Bill Withers – The Same Love That Made Me Laugh (1974)
With his subtle brand of folk-soul, Bill Withers produced several classics in the 1970s, such as Ain't No Sunshine. The Same Love That Made Me Laugh is somewhat lesser known, but at least as good.
Gene Pitney – I Must Be Seeing Things (1965)
Who would ever thought that I would play a Gene Pitney song? He is a great singer, though.
The Sha La Das – Open My Eyes (2018)
Produced by Tommy "TNT" Brenneck, the album Love in the Wind by The Sha La Das features a number of the players that have helped define the Daptone Sound including members of The Dap-Kings, Charles Bradley, and the Menahan Street Band. And, at the heart of the record, there are the four Schaldas: three talented brothers and the father who taught his boys group harmonies on the stoop of their Staten Island home growing up. Out on September 21.
Rance Allen Group – I’m Gonna Make It After All (1977)
This Detroit-based, traditionally trained gospel family group were the first gospel musicians who incorporated rock, jazz, and soul into their songs. This sublime piece of work from their album ‘Say my friend’ has the amazing Mizell brothers at the production helm.
Leroy Hutson – Don’t Let It Get Next To You (1976)
One of the most underrated soul producers of the seventies. Multi-talented singer, songwriter and instrumentalist Leroy Hutson began his career in various vocal groups around his hometown of Newark, NJ, in the sixties. In the early seventies he would replace Curtis Mayfield as a front man of the Impressions. Don’t Let It Get Next To You is taken from his solo album Feel the spirit.
Carl Douglas – I Don’t Care What People Say (1974)
Jamaican born Englishman Carl Douglas is known for his disco novelty hit Kung fu fighting (originally a b-side), but just a very few people knew at the time that he was a very decent soul singer as well. This is from his only success album that was strangely called Kung fu fighting and other great love songs in the US.
Blue Mitchell – Love Machine (1976)
The original is done by The Miracles, but this funky one from jazz trumpeter Blue Mitchell is very nice as well. In the seventies the traditional jazz market collapsed and jazz musicians moved more and more into the pop market by making disco and funk records. Gwen Guthrie and Patti Austin are on vocals on this one.
James Taylor Quartet – Free Your Mind (1995)
Acid Jazz label boss Eddie Piller had known James Taylor as bandleader of The Prisoners at Piller’s Countdown label and persuaded him that the Mod scene needed a Jimmy Smith inspired character playing Hammond instrumentals. The Quartet was formed and recorded two albums for the label in 1987 and 1988. Free your mind is from their Acid Jazz period and can be found on ‘In the hand of the inevitable’. It has been reissued this year.
Billy Preston – Outa-Space (1971)
Billy Preston played piano on Get back from the Beatles. This is a solo jam from his album I wrote a simple song. Originally it was the b-side of the title track. A radio DJ flipped the single over and began playing Outa Space. The track took off, becoming a million seller and going to number one R&B and number two pop in the summer of 1972.
Incognito – Silver Shadow (2014)
This is a cover of the Atlantic Starr 1986 hit single.
Black White and Co – Action For Love (1981)
Black White & Co. was a French formation that made several releases including a few LP’s. The rare 12 inch Action For Love is highly sought after and the track is also included on their Black White & Co. album. The maxi single was released in three different countries: France, Holland and Canada and features Get The Funk on the flip.
Jim Spencer & Son Rize – The Blues Are Out To Get Me (1979)
Found on a compilation called W2NG 89.9 FM.
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