I’d like to preface this by saying that I never enjoy selecting a top 10 of anything – there’s far too many great records for it to be anything like a definitive personal choice, and no sooner have I committed to a list than I think of a further 10 tunes I could just as easily picked. Anyhow, I decided to go for some favourite 70’s stuff – tracks I’ll never tire of hearing. Had they sub-divided the genres then like they do now, they’d have come up with a term like Deep Mellow to describe this type of vibe. Here, to my ears, are 10 of the finest – chill back and enjoy:
Parliament ‘P Funk (Wants To Get Funked Up)’ (Casablanca)
‘Good evening, do not attempt to adjust your radio there is nothing wrong, we have taken control as to bring you this special show, we will return it to you as soon as you are groovin’…’. Still way out there over 30 years on and continuing to ‘do it to you in your earhole’! Lyrical brilliance meets rhythmical resplendence – this is tripped-out Funk of the highest order.
Sly & The Family Stone ‘If You Want Me To Stay’ (Epic)
Sly Stone pushed back the boundaries of not only black music, but music full stop, ignoring both race and gender norms with his truly integrated band , The Family Stone. His legacy is huge – check the old footage and you’ll soon see where Prince took a big chunk of his inspiration from. ‘If You Want Me To Stay’ features an unreal vocal that is as unique today as it was back in ’73.
Temptations ‘Papa Was A Rolling Stone’ (Tamla Motown)
Norman Whitfield is one of the great producers – a real pioneer who took black music to new levels via his groundbreaking work with legendary vocal quintet, The Temptations, as the 60’s moved into the 70’s. From the opening bass note of 1972’s epic ‘Papa Was A Rolling Stone’, Whitfield is in total control, building the track to perfection. The concept of the extended mix, which ushered in the arrival of the 12” a few years down the line, would owe much to his innovation.
Stevie Wonder ‘Jesus Children Of America’ (Tamla Motown)
During the early 70’s Stevie Wonder was absolutely inspired, releasing a trilogy of awesome albums, ‘Talking Book’, ‘Innervisions’ and ‘Fulfillingness’ First Finale’, which made a huge impression on me during my pre-DJ days. ‘Jesus Children Of America’, from 1973’s ‘Innervisions’, is a personal favourite – take note that Stevie played all the instruments on this track. Well and truly wonderous.
Ben E King ‘Supernatural Thing’ (Atlantic)
Sublime groove, superb vocal and supreme backing vocals – ‘inter-planetary, extra-ordinary, supernatural’. Absolutely spellbinding. What more can you say?
Rufus ‘Stop On By’ (ABC)
I fell in love with Chaka Khan’s voice listening to the ‘Rufusized’ album back in the mid-70’s, with ‘Stop On By’ a stand out slice of sumptuous Soul. Nowadays Chaka is remembered for tracks like ‘Ain’t Nobody’, ‘I’m Every Woman’ and ‘I Feel For You’, whilst ‘Stop On By’, although deserving of equal acclaim, has become something of a hidden masterpiece.
Bobby Moore ‘Call Me Your Anything Man’ (Pye International)
I always had a soft spot for this 7” following its 1975 UK release, which featured, much to my delight, an extended ‘Disco Version’ on the flip side (courtesy of remix trailblazer, Tom Moulton). Little did I know that it would later be acknowledged as a seminal record in the US – the first DJ promo 12”, pressed on Mel Cheren’s Scepter label (Double Exposure’s ‘Ten Percent’ on Salsoul was the first commercially available 12”). It wasn’t until the following year that the 12” format made its appearance in this country.
Cymande ‘The Message’ (Janus)
Whist ‘Bra’ is probably nowadays the best-known Cymande track, back in the 70’s ‘The Message’ was regarded as the prime cut by this British based band, which combined Caribbean and African members. This had been a big personal favourite since I first heard it on a wonderful K-Tel Soul compilation from 1974, called ‘Super Bad’, so I was obviously pleased when the Ruthless Rap Assassins sampled it on their much acclaimed single, ‘And It Wasn’t A Dream’, which I produced in 1990.
Shuggie Otis ‘Strawberry Letter 23’ (Epic)
Like most people at the time I first became aware of this mesmeric song when it was a hit for the Brothers Johnson in 1977. I’d assumed that this was their own composition, so it came as something of a surprise when I finally heard the Shuggie Otis original later down the line. This was an artist way ahead of his time, who finally gained some long overdue recognition via the Luaka Bop retrospective, ‘Inspiration Information’, issued in 2001.
Marvin Gaye ‘What’s Going On’ (Tamla Motown)
Arguably the greatest album ever recorded and, despite the fact that its 40th Anniversary is fast approaching, still totally relevant now. So many great tracks individually, but best savoured in its entirety. I’d recommend the ‘Deluxe’ edition CD for its essential extras.
GREG WILSON – JUNE 08
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