Smooth Sailing: Late Summer Softness

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Let’s say goodbye to the summer of 2019 with some late summer softness…

Drummer/guitarist Leroy Bell met guitarist/bassist/keyboardist Casey James while both were members of the band Special Blend from Philadelphia. After the band disbanded, the duo began a songwriting partnership. With help from Bell's uncle, Philly soul producer Thom Bell, they started writing songs for Philadelphia International Records (The O'Jays, MFSB, Teddy Pendergrass, Elton John). In early 1978 they were signed to A&M and recorded hits like Livin' It Up (Friday Night) and You Never Know What You've Got. Both singles were from their 1978 self-titled debut album, just like Don’t Let The Man Get You that I selected for this cloudcast. On the album played MFSB, the house orchestra of Philadelphia International. Their second album was Only Make Believe, which spawned the R&B charting singles Shakedown and Only Make Believe. Bell & James would record one more album in 1981. After parting ways, both did much session work.

Enjoy this new part of Smooth Sailing!

Tracklist:

Bobby Caldwell ‎– Jamaica (1982)
Shante Slagle
Sylvia St. James ‎– Magic Minstrel (1980)
Jim Capaldi – Summertime (1980)
Erik Tagg – Marja's Tune (1977)
Jim Schmidt – Love Has Taken It All Away (1983)
Dusty Springfield – You Can Do It (1979)
Rupert Holmes – Get Outta Yourself (1979)
Out Of The Fog – Heart To Heart (1982)
Brenda Russell – Jarreau (1983)
Placa Luminosa – Neon (1982)
Jimmy Messina – (Is This) Lovin' You Lady (1979)
Peter Allen ‎– I Could Have Been A Sailor (1979)
Byrne & Barnes – Making Love For The First Time (1981)
Jaye P. Morgan – Closet Man (1976)
Michael Franks – St. Elmo’s Fire (1975)
Bell & James – Don’t Let The Man Get You (1978)
Walter Egan – Hot Summer Nights (1977)
Freedom Fry – Summer (2019)
Coconut Records – West Coast (2007)
Brian Protheroe – Enjoy It [Remix] (1975)
Fleetwood Mac – Never Going Back Again (1977)

Comments

Anonymous said…
This mix is just plain awesome - love it, thanks for putting it together
October 18, 2019 at 2:46 PM
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