Post #542575 by woofmutt on Thu, Jul 15, 2010 12:58 AM

Starting my suggestions off with some soulful sounds...

Breezin' (the track/single) by George Benson. I've liked this tune since I first heard it in the late 70s. Feels like cool breezes along the ocean shore on a sunny day, which I'm pretty sure was the intent. The guitar is swell and keeps the track from becoming a bit of elevator fluff (though I probably would have liked that, too.)

Grazing in the Grass by Hugh Masekela. Probably overly familiar but still damn good. I love the slight restraint to the tune, it feels like a late summer day when you just can't be bothered to get out of your lawn chair or even sit up straight.

Grazing in the Grass by Friends of Distinction. Normally I hate words added to perfectly fine instrumentals but this song is a fantastic blast of grooviness with some of the best hippie soul lyrics that make we want to share a couple jugs of wine with friends and have a stoned soul picnic. Speaking of which...

Stoned Soul Picnic by the 5th Dimension. The lyrics confused me as a kid and still do. But it has that heavy, sunny afternoon sound. And Working on a Groovy Thing is groovy, too.

Summertime by War. A great summer in the city song. The lyrics are so-so, but they don't harsh my buzz. All Day Music has a similar sound (and lyrics), but slightly more summer night.

Biloxi by Ted Hawkins. Written by Jesse Winchester this song has rare lyrics which actually sound like poetry. Ted Hawkins take is another song that captures that suspended time of an aimless summer day, this one at the very edge of the ocean. It feels like being at the beach at twilight, beyond the heat of the day. The music sounds like a humid day with hints of cool breezes and water.