Soft Focus Part 5: Soul, Bossa & Exotica

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The exotica sounds of the 1950s (Les Baxter, Martin Denny and others) make you think of tropical islands, blue seas and sandy beaches. Some of the tropical ingredients were copied by Dr. Buzzards Original Savannah Band and more seventies disco acts (that are gathered on Cocktail Disco, a compilation by Dimitri From Paris). And many lounge acts used the typical exotica sounds in the 2000s. Even acts of today, like Surprise Chef and Sinj Clarke, refer to classic exotica. 

The closing track by Jordan Rakei is from the upcoming album Blue Note Re:imagined that will be released on October 16. Wind Parade originally appeared on trumpeter Donald Byrd’s 1975 classic jazz-funk album Places and Spaces, which was produced by the amazing Mizell brothers.  

Enjoy part 5 of my Soft Focus series! Next up is a spin-off episode of Mellow Mellow FM Radio.

Tracklist: 

Delegation – Oh Honey (1978)
Marlena Shaw – Last Tango In Paris (1973)
Surprise Chef – All News Is Good News (2020)
Barbara Mason – Give Me Your Love (1972)
Os Digitalistas – Lady Marmalade (2011)
Sinj Clarke – Unas Horas (2020)
Alessandro Alessandroni – Mitzi (1974)
Maxine Weldon – Someone Loves You Honey (1975)
Midnite Flite ‎– Don't Turn Away (1976)
Foxy – Let’s Love (1976)
Coke Escovedo – I Wouldn’t Change A Thing (1976)
Eddie Kendricks – Date With The Rain (1972)
Heavy – Wonderlove (For Minnie) [Jazzanova Remix] (2005)
Dionne Warwick – Walk On By (1964)
Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band – Sunshower (1976)
Jordan Rakei – Wind Parade (2020)

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