Recommended tunes heard today:
'70s/'80s Instrumentals
- Number One-Patrice Rushen (If you like the feel of Rushen's hit, "Forget Me Nots," this propulsive groove will likely appeal to you, as well.)
Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals
- High Tide-Danny Black (This would sound smooth after "Two Of Us" by The Beatles or before Thao & The Get Down Stay Down's "Kindness Be Conceived.")
- Dance With Me-Peter Brown (The late '70s had some cringe-inducing dance hits. This, fortunately, wasn't one of them. The groove and vocals have held up well over the decades.)
The Coffee House Discovery
- Outside Looking In-The Saint Johns (Subtle vocals paired with a guitar sound reminiscent of mid to late '70s Fleetwood Mac. The humming in the chorus adds to the tune's charm.)
Escape
- Greenfields-Ray Conniff (Letting the piano carry the melody with unobtrusive humming is a smart way to ease into this somber melody. If you prefer a stately vocal rendition, listen to The Brothers Four's cover.)
- Fragile-Lisa Addeo (This sobering Sting song lends itself to a dramatic piano interpretation.)
- Triste (Live)-Dianne Reeves (I liked hearing an appreciative audience take in these enjoyable vocals and guitar. This tune has many strong renditions, but the one by Kenny Barron & The Brazilian Knights is at the top of that list for me.)
- A La Mode-Art Blakey (Brassy and full of life; the Miles Davis classic, "Seven Steps To Heaven," could segue with this.)
- Coast To Coast-Pamela Williams (Energetic sax-driven smooth jazz with a rhythmic underpinning that reminds me of Deodato's "Bus Stop.")
- Waiting For Your Love-Toto (It's interesting hearing Toto's vocals against a beat that reminds me of The Gap Band's "Outstanding." Still, it's not that far removed from the backing the band would later use in the hit, "Pamela.")
