Best Of 70s Soul: Flying Easy

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The Three Degrees

Flying Easy by Donny Hathaway is from his last solo album, Extension Of A Man (1973). It was recorded in the hopes that United Airlines might use it for a national advertising campaign, but they did not. 

Donny Hathaway was probably one of the greatest soul singers/musicians of all-time. His career took off in the early 1970s, but it never led to a big breakthrough, mainly because of his mental problems. His desperate situation led to his suicide by jumping of a balcony in 1979, after being  paranoid and delusional during a recording session with Roberta Flack. He has been inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame and won one Grammy Award from four nominations. Hathaway was also posthumously honoured with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Dutch director David Kleijwegt made a wonderful documentary about him called Mister Soul – A Story About Donny Hathaway. 

Norman Feels was an underground soul sensation in the 1970s and released two classic albums that resemble the sound of Philly soul and Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. Over the years, Norman’s songs have been sampled by acts from the likes of Ghostface Killah, Nas and Kanye West:

"Next to Norman Feels’ fascinating writing skills and trademark voice you’ll find intriguing (and at times scary) themes about love, obsession, sadness…all wrapped in a looming, jazzy atmosphere complete with sharp lyrics."

 (Tidal Waves Music)

Enjoy this Flying Easy part of Best Of 70s Soul! Next up is a new episode of Mellow Mellow FM.

Tracklist:

Melissa Manchester – Shine Like You Should (1978)
Raydio ‎– Jack And Jill (1978)
Donny Hathaway – Flying Easy (1973)
William Bell – Relax (1977)
Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams ‎– Too Much Too Little Too Late (1978)
Freda Payne ‎– Deeper And Deeper (1970)
The Three Degrees – Another Heartache (1975)
Minnie Riperton – Inside My Love (1975)
Bill Withers ‎– I Want To Spend The Night (1977)
Fania All Stars – Desafio (Challenge) (1976)
Jesse Green – Flip (1976)
Chicago Gangsters – Feel Like Making Love (1975)
Erik Tagg – The Love I Gave (1977)
Desmond Child & Rouge – Lazy Love (1977)
Norman Feels – Movie (1974)
Tony Wilson – Gotta Make Love To You (1976)
B-H-Y – I Just Want To Funk (With You) (1979)
Earth, Wind & Fire – You Can't Hide Love (1975)
Dionne Warwick ‎– I'll Never Love This Way Again (1979)

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