Smooth Jazz Therapy

Jean Carne - It's Alright With Me

Now for something guaranteed to rejuvenate even the most tired of dancing feet.  It is the sensationally old school, ‘It’s Alright With Me’ from the legendary Jean Carne.  Coming as it does with an equally good instrumental version it proves to be a fine example of that decidedly sixties phenomenon the ‘EP’ and, for soul lovers everywhere, should make the perfect Christmas stocking filler..

Jean Carne began her career with her then-husband, Doug Carne, who has well as being a pianist was also the founder of Black Jazz Records. After recording three albums together, Jean started doing back-up vocals for Earth Wind & Fire and Norman Connors. She went solo in1977 and played a pivotal role in the development of Philly soul with Gamble & Huff, Dexter Wansel and McFadden and Whitehead all producing and writing for her.

Truth to tell her creativity has never waned and her distinctive voice remains in top form. Recently, she released the critically acclaimed album ‘Flashback’ which included the wonderful Skip Scarborough composition ’It's Alright With Me’.

Great Stuff

 

 

Major Harris - I Love You

Best known for his smash hit ‘Love Won’t Let Me Wait’ which topped the Billboard R&B Chart in1975, Richmond, Virginia’s Major Harris enjoyed a long and distinguished career.  It included both solo success and stints with groups such as The Delfonics, The Charmers, The Teenagers, the Jarmels, and Nat Turner's Rebellion.

Shortly before his untimely death in 2012 he recorded some tracks on which members of the group INGRAM backed him.  Now, released as a five track EP, ‘I Love You’ is a delicious look back to the golden age of old school soul.  There is much to commend this collection, from cool sax from Sam Peake to Harris’s shimmering duet with Cherrill Rae on the Spinners blockbuster  ‘I’ll Be Around’.

Good stuff!

Fat Larry's Band - Hey Girl

Best known for hits such as ‘Act Like You Know’, ‘Zoom’, & ‘Looking For Love’ Fat Larry’s Band folded in 1987 when Fat Larry James sadly passed away.  Now, with the blissing of Doris Jones, Fat Larry’s Band returns with a new EP titled ‘Hey Girl’.  Paying homage to the past while carving a path to a bright and soulful future the collection includes the ban’s seminal hit ‘Zoom’ as well as the title cut that glides along on an understated ‘steppers’ beat.

However, the star of the show is without doubt the Alvertis – Booker T – Floyd composition ‘I’ve Never Found A Girl’ that was a hit for Eddie Floyd in 1968 and featured in the 2009 movie Soul Men. With a huge but subtle backing orchestra plus magically lilting vocals this Fat Larry version is soul music the way it is meant to be.

Wonderful!

Stanley Clarke - Heaven Sent

'Heaven Sent' by Stanley Clarke first appeared on his 1984 album ‘Time Exposure’ and is notable not only for the old school vibe on which it flows but also for stellar performances from former Shalamar front man Howard Hewett and Clarke’s long time collaborator George Duke. 

Magic!

 

 

 

 

Robert Flack With Donny Hathaway - Back Together Again

Thanks again to the legendary Chris Boyce and his Love Your Soul project for this one, the seminal ‘Back Together Again’ from the album ‘Roberta Flack featuring Donny Hathaway’.

Released in 1980 it was intended to be Roberta’s second duets album with Donny Hathaway but in the event Hathaway only recorded two songs with her, this one and ‘You Are My Heaven’ before his suicide. Flack finished the rest of the record on her own.

 

 

Change - Hold Tight

I am indebted to my good friend Chris Boyce and his wonderful Love Your Soul project for this stunning 1981 track from the always-excellent Change. It can be found on the album ‘Miracles’ and is guaranteed to rejuvenate even the most tired of dancing feet.

 

 

Curt Jones - Can't Stop

It might be a track from Curt Jones’ 2015 album, ‘Curt III’, but ‘Can’t Stop’ has some shimmering old skool soul credentials.  Complete with an understated ‘steppers’ beat this one is a real gem.

 

 

Barbara Acklin - Am I The Same Girl

 

Old School Cool is an occasional feature that, for those of a certain age, retraces the journey of musical lifetime in a way that keeps the memories flooding back. This time it is the Barbara Acklin hit song ‘Am I The Same Girl’, the Record and Sanders composition that was originally recorded by Young Holt Unlimited.

Shalamar - The Lover In You

Old School Cool is an occasional feature that, for those of a certain age, retraces the journey of musical lifetime in a way that keeps the memories flooding back. This time it is the Shalamar blockbuster ‘This Is For The Lover In You’ that was composed by the band’s then lead vocalist Howard Hewitt and songwriter Dana Myers.

It featured on the 1980 album ‘Three For Love’ and was later remade by Babyface for the CD ‘The Day’ featuring LL CoolJ and the former members of Shalimar: Howard Hewitt, Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniel. The Babyface version was a successful hit, reaching #6 on the US Hot 100, #2 on the US R & B chart, and #12 on the UK Singles Chart.

 

 

Darrell Banks - Open The Door To Your Heart

Old School Cool is an occasional feature that, for those of a certain age, retraces the journey of musical lifetime in a way that keeps the memories flooding back. This time it is Darrell Banks with the timeless ‘Open The Door To Your Heart’, a cover version of which I discovered in 1966 on the Chris Farlowe album ‘The Art Of Chris Farlowe’. It set me off to search for the original and have been hooked on it ever since.