Van McCoy - Get Dancin'

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Get Dancin'

Van McCoy

from Disco Baby (1975)

Walter "Junie" Morrison - Love Has Taken Me Over (Be My Baby)

"I'll be fine, as long as you are mine..." The unstained optimism of young love encapsulated here in this smooth P-Funk jam by the one-time Ohio Players member. All instruments on this LP are played by (the hugely talented) Morrison.

Love Has Taken Me Over (Be My Baby)

Walter "Junie" Morrison

from Bread Alone (1980)

Sugar Babe - Down Town

Some more music from Japan now with this irresistible pop gem from the short-lived 70's group Sugar Babe, fronted by the great Tatsuro Yamashita.

Down Town

Sugar Babe

from Songs (1975)

Yellow Magic Orchestra - Expected Way / 希望の路

A personal pick from YMO's final major studio LP...

Expected Way / 希望の路

Yellow Magic Orchestra

from Naughty Boys (1983)

Jorge Ben - Menina Crioula

Furnky !

Menina Crioula

Jorge Ben

from Salve Simpatia (1979)

George Clinton - Bangladesh

Much of this LP is draped in that Minneapolitan funk sound which was very much en vogue at the time of its '85 release. This cut is an exception though with its laidback vibe more akin to mid-seventies Funkadelic. The writing credit is given to Clinton's son, Tracey Lewis, whilst that sweet sax solo comes courtesy of Latin jazz maestro, Ed Calle.

Bangladesh

George Clinton

from Some Of My Best Jokes Are Friends (1985)

Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson - A Prayer For Everybody/To Be Free

...Exactly the kind of music I crave this time of year, from what may well be my favourite Gil Scott-Heron/Brian Jackson collaboration, 1978's Secrets.

A Prayer For Everybody/To Be Free

Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson

from Secrets (1978)

Chicago - Aloha Mama

From Chicago's best album (unless you're a fan of Chicago).

Aloha Mama

Chicago

from Chicago 13 (1979)

Chet Baker - My Future Just Passed

Insulation for the soul.

My Future Just Passed

Chet Baker

from She Was Too Good To Me (1974)

Todd Rundgren - Healing Part I

Listen.

Healing Part I

Todd Rundgren

from Healing (1981)

Patti Labelle - Get Ready (Lookin' For Love)

Gumbo disco. Production from N'Orleans legend, Allen Toussaint.

Get Ready (Lookin' For Love)

Patti Labelle

from Released (1980)

Jobriath - Ooh La La

Unhelpfully hyped and mismanaged, Jobriath was almost forgotten by the time of his 1974 LP, Creatures of the Street - an album I'd implore you to check out. The standout track for me is this soulful glam number with a cheeky southern twang (that caricature accent a little reminiscent of Mick Jagger's...)

Ooh La La

Jobriath

from Creatures of the Street (1974)

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Everytime I Look At You

From the near-flawless - and my personal favourite H&O Record - Abandoned Luncheonette.

Everytime I Look At You

Daryl Hall & John Oates

from Abandoned Luncheonette (1973)

Bob James - Caribbean Nights

Just love this track - from Hubert Laws' effortless flute improv to Bob James' signature smooth keys, and that Beach Boys-esque bridge is the icing...

Caribbean Nights

Bob James

from Touchdown (1978)

Chic - City Lights

Am gonna let the LP cover do the talking for this one, which says more than words ever could...

City Lights

Chic

from Tongue In Chic (1982)

The Deele - Working (9 to 5)

Le grind.

Working (9 to 5)

The Deele

from Street Beat (1983)

The Trammps - Scruboard

A song to keep you warm - taken from their debut LP...




Scruboard
The Trammps
from The Legendary Zing Album (1973)

Al Green - (No No) You'll Never Hurt Me Again

Recorded for the 1977 Belle Album sessions, this [somehow] didn't make the final cut. For me it stands up to any of his previous hits, a real gem...



(No No) You'll Never Hurt Me Again
Al Green
from The Belle Album - Expanded Edition (2006)

I Wanna Be Where You Are

An homage to the song penned by Leon Ware and T-Boy Ross, originally performed by Michael Jackson, and retroactively refreshed by the likes of Willie Hutch, José Feliciano (en español), Ware himself on Marvin Gaye's I Want You and on his own 1976 release, Musical Massage. A masterpiece incidentally - go buy!


I Wanna Be Where You Are
Michael Jackson
from Got To Be There (1972)





I Wanna Be Where You Are
Willie Hutch
from Fully Exposed (1973)





I Wanna Be Where You Are
Marvin Gaye
from I Want You (1976)





I Wanna Be There
Leon Ware
from Musical Massage (1976)





Ahora Si Quiero Amar
José Feliciano
from Escenas De Amor (1982)

Roy Ayers - Poo Poo La La

A brilliant duet with Miki Howard, "the kinda woman that would trim your toenails at 5 o'clock in the morning..."




Poo Poo La La
Roy Ayers
from In the Dark (1984)