'70s Soul Hits

Back in the ’70s, grooves blossomed like Afros, as soul moved into a more sophisticated era that effortlessly blended dance-floor attitude, bedroom heat, and a new political awareness. Here are the era’s towering achievements, from the socially poignant “Back Stabbers” by the O’Jays to Marvin Gaye’s bedroom classic “Let’s Get It On” and the Jackson 5’s exuberant plea for a second chance, “I Want You Back.” Elsewhere you’ll find Isaac Hayes bustin’ down doors with the “Theme from ‘Shaft’” and the red-hot raunch of Patti LaBelle on “Lady Marmalade.”

Shake that thing and move your feet, with our ’70s Soul Hits Next Steps.

The sounds of the street and the heat of the bedroom: this next batch of deep soul merged rough-and-ready with smooth-and-sexy like no music before or since. On one hand, you’re slipping into something comfortable, and experiencing the Dove of Love’s “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe,” ideal for romance on 1,000-thread-count sheets, then you’re moving your feet to the O’Jays’ “Love Train,” a supreme alliance of politics and groove, these days borrowed to sell beer, but a monster #1 hit back in 1973 on both the R&B Singles chart and the Hot 100.

If you’re jonesing for a groove, all your ’70s soul needs will be met in Deep Cuts.

The soul hits of the ’70s have a groove to suit your every mood, so long as you have the beat in your feet and smooth lovin’ on your mind. The smooch gets serious with “Love Jones” by Brighter Side of Darkness, with its sleepy-eyed opening rap, “What’s happenin’ baby? Did you miss me over the weekend?,” and aromatic candles spontaneously catch a flame every time Heat Wave breaks into “Always and Forever.” Feel like flexing your stuff to some funk? Here comes the Godfather of Soul with “Get Up I Feel Like Being a Sex Machine (SIngle Version)” — take ’em to the bridge, James.

The voices and harmonies stayed in church while the producers went to the symphony, which goes a long way to explaining why these select, soul-aged cuts remain dance and romance favorites. The highs these artists reach are euphoric, almost religiously so, elevated on the wings of soaring string arrangements (check out Billy Paul’s “Me and Mrs. Jones”). At the same time, there’s a solid grounding in sexy funk and the slow, after-midnight rhythms of passions so deep, you could drown in them (consider Minnie Riperton’s “Lovin’ You” your benchmark for ecstasy). From Al Green to the Undisputed Truth, these artists will fully recharge your ’70s soul in no time.