Professor Eddy is back on air with a set entitled “Mellow Madness (One Hour of Laid Back Fury)”: A tribute to the 70s, when soul music was a steaming melting pot of jazz, funk, disco, gospel and even country.

Detach the player - Visit the FM Brussel’s website

Lowrell – Mellow Mellow Right On (1979)

Lowrell Simon was singer of the band Lost Generation. In 1970 they achieved their most successful moment with their single “The Sly, Slick and Wicked”. After he left the band, he started a solo career under his first name. This track has been sampled by many artists, like Massive Attack and Common. A good timeless track to start the mix with.

Cool Sounds – Free (I’m Coming Home) (1972)

This is a rare one from Motown songwriter Harvey Fuqua. At the time he was leaving the Detroit based company and tried to make a record deal by his own. He never quite succeeded, so this track wasn’t released on a major label and didn’t become successful. The arrangement is wonderful with harp, flute and a three male, one female harmony line-up.

Smokey Robinson – My World [Select Mix] (2005)

Talking about Motown, Smokey Robinson was vice-president for years, but he’s most known for his work with the Miracles and his own solo career of course. Motown is currently trying to make their legacy suitable for a younger generation by producing remixes of their successes. This is a very good effort. Feel free to call me for a remix guys!

Roy Ayers – Des Nude Soul (1973)

Vibraphonist Roy Ayers was always ahead of its time with his merge of jazz and funk. This is from his lovely album ‘Virgo Road’.

Lou Donaldson – Who’s Making Love? (1969)

At the time jazz purists were horrified to hear saxophonist Lou Donaldson play raw funk. But nowadays it sounds great with its grooving break beats and energetic organ solos.

Elvis Presley – A Little Less Conversation (1968)

When my dad played his old Elvis records in the living room in the 1970s and started dancing like a fanatic, I began to get interested in pop music. This track was totally ignored in the 1960s, but was picked up by Dutchman Junkie XL who made a magnificent dance remix of it. This is the original version that sounds funky as hell!

Earth, Wind & Fire – Happy Feelin’ (1975)

Third track from their breakthrough and probably also their best album “That’s The Way of the World”. Their music became more slick and less soulful over the years. They still tour from time to time, but without their founder Maurice White.

Sharon Redd, Ula Hedwig & Charlotte Crossley – Cash In (1978)

I don’t know much about them. I immediately liked the jazzy soul sound of the three lady singers. Sharon Redd became an electro disco singer in the 1980s and she had a couple of hit records like ‘Can You Handle It?’, ‘Beat the Street’ and ‘Love How You Feel’.

Carl Bean – I Was Born This Way (1977)

This record came out on Motown, but was produced and arranged by Norman Harris, the key musician of the Philadelphia International label. There are several remixes of the track around, but I prefer the original 12”. The lyrics, sung by gospel artist Carl Bean, are all about the sexual freedom at the time.

David Ruffin – I Want You Back (1971)

This is another Motown gem. The track remained on the shelves of Motown for more than three decades, probably because the Jackson Five were highly successful with the song at the same time. I prefer this version of Temptations singer David Ruffin. He has made some amazing solo records, which were all highly underrated.

Brothers Johnson – Daydreamer Dream (1981)

Done without the great Quincy Jones who brought them success with songs like ‘Stomp’ and ‘Strawberry Letter 23’.

Bill Withers – Green Grass (1974)

I would call this kind of music ‘country soul’. In the late 1960s singers like Otis Redding and Percy Sledge introduced a mixture of soul music and country. Bill Withers added some singer/songwriter influences to this style, which made his music quite unique.

Quincy Jones feat. Paulette McWilliams – Mellow Madness (1975)

In the 1970s jazz conductor Quincy Jones became more and more successful on the pop market. He added soul and funk to his traditional jazz background. The result was a string of very strong sophisticated jazz pop albums. They were a very good base for his success with Michael Jackson a few years later.

Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (1969)

This is a Hal David & Burt Bacharach composition from his highly influential ‘Hot Buttered Soul’ album. It was probably the beginning of the disco era. Singers like Barry White more or less copied his style. With his bald head and gold chains Isaac Hayes looked like the first hiphop artist.

Raphael Saadiq – Calling (2008)

Raphael Saadiq went on tour with Prince and Sheila E. in the 1980s, before he became a member of Tony! Toni! Toné! and Lucy Pearl. This is from his latest solo album ‘The Way I See It’. I like the Spanish speaking lady on it. Don’t we all wait for a phone call from time to time?

Bobbi Humphrey – Ain’t No Sunshine (1971)

Bobbi Humphrey is the most sensual flute player in the world. This is her interpretation of the Bill Withers classic. It’s from her debut album that came out on Blue Note.

Be sure to check Eddy’s “Soul Searching” radio show on LDBK radio if you like this mix.