Monday, April 11, 2016

SiriusXM highlights XL

Compelling songs heard yesterday and today:

Escape
  • It's Not Unusual-The Anita Kerr Singers (A fun lounge arrangement, with hints of a Swingle Singers style in the vocals and The 5th Dimension's "Up, Up, And Away" in the instrumentation.)
  • Stella By Starlight-Norm Geller (Elegant orchestral and marimba playing of a jazz classic.)
The Loft
  • Get Together-Keb' Mo' (Keb' Mo' gives this tune by The Youngbloods a beat and interprets the vocals with sincerity.)
Love 
  • Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me-Gladys Knight & The Pips ("Midnight Train To Georgia" is often the first song that comes to mind when recalling Knight's music, but this heartfelt ballad also deserves its due.)
  • Too Hot-Kool & The Gang (Smooth vocals and saxophone; it's one of the band's strongest hits.)
Real Jazz
  • Four-George Benson & Al Jarreau (An excellent vocal pairing.)
Spa
  • Sunbeam Serenade-Jim Chappell (A pleasant piano melody.)
The Spectrum
  • Such Great Heights-Postal Service (A hypnotic, driving rhythm; a good modern power pop sound.)