Al Green - Simply Beautiful

I'm aware of the dangers of overpopulation and I'm also aware of the strong positive correlation between increasing birth rates and Al Green's voice but I'm willing to take the risk and share one the most beautiful Al Green cuts on Valentine's Day because the tune is simply beautiful.

Al Green - Simply Beautiful [320 kbps, DivShare]

By the way, if you're looking for something special to listen to on Valentine's Day with your special someone, look no further since Cosmo Baker re-upped his excellent Valentines Roll mix recently. A two hour love package of the finest slow jams selected and mixed just for the purpose.

The Notations - Take It Slow

I was selecting songs for a slow soul jam mix I'm working on and came across to Take It Slow by The Notations, a great Chicago based vocal group.

It's been a while since the last time I played the tune but now it really hit the spot so I had to stop by and share it with you. It's such a lovely slow jam and the whole album is really solid. I just wish they had gotten more love back in the day and a chance to record more for Curtis Mayfield's Gemigo label.

The Notations - Take It Slow [320 kbps, DivShare]

Leon Ware vs. Marvin Gaye

You might be aware of the story behind Marvin Gaye's 1976 album I Want You. A young producer Leon Ware had been writing excellent stuff for his first solo album but when Motown executive Barry Gordy heard the material he "persuaded" Ware to give the songs to Gaye.

I don't know the full story behind this but later Leon Ware released a solo album, Musical Massage. The album is full of amazing, soul tracks but commercially it failed. The rumor has it that Ware should have given also these songs to Gaye but he refused so Motown subsidiary Gordy didn't promote his album at all. Nice way of rewarding loyal employees.

Musical Massage (1976) was re-issued in 2001. This issue contains Leon's original versions of Comfort (a.k.a. Come Live With Me Angel), recorded with Minnie Riperton and I Wanna Be Where You Are, both done by Marvin Gaye on I Want You.

Hopefully you don't get me wrong here. I'm not underestimating Gaye's visionary and style. I just want to give Leon Ware the credit he definitely deserves.

Leon Ware - Comfort (Come Live With Me Angel) [320 kbs]

Marvin Gaye - Come Live With Me Angel [320 kbps]

Soundtrack of a summer day

Thought I would share a tune or tune for a good summer day. I suggest you should start your day with Huba, a Helsinki based retro-soul ensemble.

Huba - Summer Morn [320 kbps, zShare]

You need some music while sunbathing, aight? The most obvious but at the same time the most proper song for the occasion is of course Everybody Loves The Sunshine. The original is by far the most mellow song ever made. I've heard a lot of edits and covers, some pretty good, some ...uh... not. Hopefully this version with ms. Badu works for you.

Roy Ayers - Everybody Loves Sunshine feat. Erykah Badu [320 kbps, zShare]

When you want to get your groove on you might want to feel some latin flavoured beats. Echosystem is a 7-member fresh latin groove machine from Finland. GAMM Enterprises has put out a whole lot of songs suitable for this post but the one that makes people crazy on the dancefloor is Karameller.

Echosystem - Alpha [320 kbps, zShare]

Dubben - Karameller [320 kbps, zShare]

After a hot night out you have hopefully found someone to get down with. When it comes to baby making music you can always turn to Leroy Hutson.

Leroy Hutson - I Do I Do (Want To Make Love To You) [320 kbps, zShare]