Groovy Gems

Andie writes

I remember starting this playlist with Willmore and we agreed to make it something like an “anything goes” type of playlist – and it was one of the best, for me! It was really cool too since I noticed we were getting this vibe that we’d start with some groovy female vocals, then some jazzy sounds, dance-y hits, classics, and we surprisingly ended with a couple of great rap samples! It was such a unique mix and I was all for it!

I guess one song new gem that Willmore graced my ears with was Masterpiece by SAULT. I remember listening to it and I had to stop what I was doing since it absolutely caught my attention. The effects of the vocals, the way the beat carries the song, and the overall harmony of the voices were just perfect! Like the type of song I’d listen to just to chill and vibe with. And! The Whitney Houston song he added – My Love Is Your Love, took me waaaay back. I felt like it was the first time hearing that song again and it got me so happy! Such a feel good and loving song.

Willmore writes:

When I got the link from Andie and she told me the vibe she was loving at the time with the song “easier said than done” by Thee Sacred Souls, everything just seemed to fall in place. I already knew the next song I wanted to add already and I really enjoyed making this playlist. The songs kept flowing as we decided to extend the playlist.

This playlist consists of different types of songs but one thing they all have in common is that they are great songs! That’s the factor that is holding all these songs together.

I got to add some if not most songs to my favourites, if I could i would mention the whole list but Erykah Badu – Didn’t cha know is definitely up there for me. Corinne Bailey Rae is also going to be one of my favourite artists. Did I mention Red Room by Hiatus Kaiyote! I think I will be playing this playlist for a longtime! The best! I had fun on this one.

Easier Said Than Done by Thee Sacred Souls

This is a perfect mix of soulful sounds. What get’s me the most are those smooth harmonies, plus not to mention how light the percussion is! To make it even better, the whole energy of Thee Sacred Souls instantly reminds me of another band, Durand Jones & The Indications, and I absolutely love them!

Best Of Me (Originals) by Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys has such an infectious voice that brings forth calmness. The harmonies in the song are exquisite. It flows very well with the previous song by Thee Sacred Souls as the songs have a synergy of smoothness and easy instrumentals.

Promises by Cleo Sol

This R&B song immediately gave me calm and flow-y vibes just from the introduction. Her voice is absolutely soothing. I really enjoyed how the piano was incorporated in the track and how at some points it was really just the light percussion and her voice.

Solitude by Lila Iké

Lila Ike has a phenomenal vocal range and the beat allowed her to showcase that. Solitude carried on the mellow vibe of the playlist with hints of Caribbean sound and style. Great song to help you relax..

Hold Steady by Kacey Johansing

Since I’ve noticed our first pattern to be adding songs that have such great female vocals, this Kacey Johansing song came to mind. The simplicity of the song and the way the lyrics are merely repetitions just make it so beautiful! It’s like this repetitive message of assurance.

Found (feat. Brent Faiyaz) by Tems, Brent Faiyaz

After hearing the instrumental of Hold Steady by Kacey Johansing, I was reminded of this song by Tems and Brent Faiyaz. The song has a soft feel and it seemed to be the best follow up song.

Someone to Love by Drugdealer

I feel like I kinda switched up the sound because of adding this! I find the band Drugdealer to be this cool and jazzy band that everyone should know! This song is from one of their newer albums. All the instruments and varied percussions blend so well together – something to definitely bop your head to.

A Long Walk (2020 Remastered) by Jill Scott

This song has a neo soul vibe on it and the best thing about this is the progression of the vocals from soft and tender at the beginning to firm and sharp at end. The song is a long walk journey like the title suggests. Jill Scott is always on the mark with the vocals.

Simply Paradise by Mac DeMarco, Ryan Paris

Always a good choice to add some psychedelic-indie sounds to an experimental playlist! Mac DeMarco songs have the tendency to sound quite similar and I personally would never get tired of it!

Masterpiece by SAULT

The previous song helped me build up to this jam that is a masterpiece. I decided to season the playlist with some “Sault” music. The song is such an attention grabber and I am glad Andie liked this one as it was her first encounter with Sault.

Baby My Love by Fil Callender

Baby My Love is just a perfect 70s reggae track. Plus, it’s so crazy how songs, and raps especially, are sampling this in such creative ways.

Forever Yours by Hunter Rose

I had this song on repeat for a couple of days, and when it was my turn to add a song, I was like why not? It fits the mood of the playlist perfectly and the vocals are very smooth with a beat complimenting the vocals very well.

Call Me When You Get This by Corinne Bailey Rae

I felt like adding this happy and exciting song and I came across Corinne Bailey Rae. She’s just this happy and beautiful soul and it really shows in her music and the way she sings! I love how the song itself has some loudness and energy to it too!

Calling All my Lovelies by Bruno Mars

You can never go wrong with a Bruno Mars song. A perfect song for a chill and vibe session. His production is always top class and this song’s storyline picks up very well from “call me when you get this”

This Thing We Got by The Kite String Triangle

I remember that I added this after following through Willmore’s pick of that Bruno Mars song! I went with a dance-y and groovy energy. What I especially love about this is the electric and addicting chorus – always gets me!

My Love Is Your Love by Whitney Houston

I dropped the tempo of the playlist a little bit with this classic here. I was looking for a song that had powerful lyrics like the previous song,”this thing we got.” I like that it’s a well known classic that will leave you feeling nostalgic.

Red Room by Hiatus Kaiyote

I really wanted to match the vibe of Whitney Houston’s song and I was surprised to find this gem! You know that feeling when the song is so soft and quiet, but it’s so powerful at the same time? That’s what I felt with this one! It’s giving off some mysterious vibes and it’s amazing.

24hrs by Savannah Ré

I had to follow up with a song as smooth as Red Room. The only place I knew I could go to is Savannah Ré’s catalogue. 24hrs seemed to be the song for the day and I just had to add it. It’s such a compelling song for an easy flowing vibe.

Didn’t Cha Know by Erykah Badu

Erykah Badu is always good. I was so happy that this turned out to be such a good find for Willmore! Always great to introduce someone to new music! R&B and soul is such a peak genre because of how groovy the whole thing gets and this artist just does it so well.

Feel Good by Lira

This song is one of the anthems in terms of feeling good as the title suggests. It has a catchy melody that will be stuck in your head for a long period of time. The song also has a rich texture and its probably because of the amazing harmonies and vocals in the song. A song that feels like a “hug from a loving friend.”

The Way That I Do by Durand Jones & The Indications

I’d describe this in a way that it has a similar vibe to what our parents might have danced to in their 80s disco parties. Like you’d instantly think of a disco ball popping outta the ceiling when thei plays! If you’re a fan of All by Cherub, this song would fit your taste!

PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA by Beyoncé

The Queen B mixed a groovy vibe with a sensational vibe. Her vocals are always the driver of the song. The intro of this song makes the transition very smooth and some how it’s still riding on the same wave with the previous sing. I love this gem!

Candies Tangerines by Jon Bryant, Two Another

This was such a cool find for me in one of my old playlist! A catchy remix that’ll make you nod your head. It’s got that perfect mix of electro vibes and it sounds like so many colors just colliding (if that made any sense at all)

Beautiful by Mali Music

The previous song was full of colour and I also had to look for a bright colour song. I chose this song because of the light that is in the lyrics and the warmth of the harmonies in it. It’s a song full of inspiration.

Walking in the Rain by Funkmammoth

This was just a really cool mix! The title absolutely depicted the vibe of the entire song and I just love that there were some sounds of nature all throughout the track. Really something to enjoy your day with.

Waterfalls by TLC

I went with another classic anthem. This one has a karaoke vibe and its that type of song that even if you do not know it will feel like you have heard it somewhere before. It screams familiarity. It’s a good follow up from “ walking in the rain.”

Say My Name by Hozier

A cover that completely surprised me! One of my favorite things about covers is when the artist makes t sound like a completely different song and Hozier served just that! He gave it this deep and soulful feel.

Whipped Cream by Ari Lennox

This song gave me the feeling that I should have added it at the start of the playlist. I don’t know how it took me so long to add it. It has a good urban soul feel. Ari has an amazing way of playing with her voice in the song that is supreme.

Anytime of the Year by Yung Heazy

Well, I’d say that one of the reasons why this caught me was also because of the album cover – this creative sketch of a couple, plus with that Christmas theme! It’s one of those songs that repeat a certain lyric, bu the way it does is so catchy you can’t help but sing along.

AM I DREAMING (feat Miley Cyrus) by Lil Nas X, Miley Cyrus

The moment I heard the words “dreaming” on Anytime of the year, I knew my follow up song. The passion in this song portrayed by Lil Nas X and Miley Cyrus is exquisite! They did a perfect duet. The song is full of emotions and that is why it is a great song

Bound by The Ponderosa Twins Plus One

Another cool track with such creative samples of it these days. A classic that everyone’s gotta get back on! It’s groovy and the vocals are immediately gonna make you swoon. I feel like every time a song samples another, it’s only right that we give that sample a full listen too!…because it could be your next ‘On Repeat’

Through the Fire by Chaka Khan

It seemed perfect for me to end with this song by Chaka Khan. It’s a song which was also sampled by Kanye West on ,”Through the wire.” Chaka Khan is a powerhouse when it comes to vocals. This is one of my all-time favourite songs.

• Easier Said Than Done – Thee Sacred Souls
• Best Of Me (Originals) – Alicia Keys
• Promises – Cleo Sol
• Solitude – Lila Iké
• Hold Steady – Kacey Johansing
• Found (feat. Brent Faiyaz) – Tems
• Someone to Love – Drugdealer
• A Long Walk (2020 Remastered) – Jill Scott
• Simply Paradise – Mac DeMarco
• Masterpiece – SAULT
• Baby My Love – Fil Callender
• Forever Yours – Hunter Rose
• Call Me When You Get This – Corinne Bailey Rae
• Calling All My Lovelies – Bruno Mars
• This Thing We Got – The Kite String Tangle
• My Love Is Your Love – Whitney Houston
• Red Room – Hiatus Kaiyote
• 24hrs – Savannah Ré
• Didn’t Cha Know – Erykah Badu
• Feel Good – Lira
• The Way That I Do – Durand Jones & The Indications
• PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA – Beyoncé
• Candied Tangerines – Chill Mix – Jon Bryant
• Beautiful – Mali Music
• Walking in the Rain – Funkmammoth
• Waterfalls – TLC
• Say My Name – Recorded At Spotify Studios NYC – Hozier
• Whipped Cream – Ari Lennox
• Anytime of the Year – Yung Heazy
• AM I DREAMING (feat. Miley Cyrus) – Lil Nas X
• Bound – The Ponderosa Twins Plus One
• Through the Fire – Chaka Khan

Playlist image by Tahlia Doyle on Unsplash