7 of the 70s: 2/27/14 (1971)...

70's throwback of the week is here, and to close out Black History Month here's seven more soul-soaked nuggets from 1971. (I've included links to buy anything here on CD and MP3)...

Isaac Hayes - "Theme from Shaft"
from the album Shaft (Original Soundtrack) (1971)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Songwriter: Isaac Hayes

The classic Oscar-winning song even crossed over to the top ten of the easy-listening radio chart, a real coup musically speaking. Shut yo mouth.

(Click below to see the rest of the post)


Marvin Gaye - "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)"
from the album What's Going On (1971)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4
Songwriter: Marvin Gaye


Everyone remembers the title track from this iconic album, but this remains my favorite of the most import soul album of the 70s.

The Dramatics - "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get"
from the album Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get (1972)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9
Songwriter: Tony Hester

The Detroit vocal group gave the Temptations a run for their money with this throwdown of rhythm and blues.

The Staple Singers - "Respect Yourself"
from the album Be Altitude: Respect Yourself (1972)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #12
Songwriters: Luther Ingram, Mack Rice

Wash Bruce Willis from your mind with the version from the soul/gospel family unit who are preaching what we all need to hear.

Lou Rawls - "A Natural Man"
from the album Natural Man (1971)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #17
Songwriters: Sandy Baron, Bobby Hebb

Another lesson from the smooth soul singer talking about the start of the Me Decade.

Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - "You've Got A Friend"
from the album Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway (1972)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #29
Songwriter: Carole King

The pair of amazing talents brought such an earthiness and emotion to this classic of the strongest bond.

James Brown - "Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved (Part 1)"
from the album In The Jungle Groove (1986)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #34
Songwriters: James Brown, Bobby Byrd, Ron Lenhoff


The sound may not be the best here (you can click here for a great-sounding audio), but it's totally worth seeing the man in action in this call to action for the new generation.

I'll return later on today with 8 more nuggets from 1981...