Sanford and Townsend Band (1977) Smoke of a Distant Fire

A 1977 blue eyed soul hit from a duo who while influenced by New Orleans RnB had a sound all of their with quiet storm keyboards, lively sax and horns plus colourful lyrics about complex relationships. From its opening guitar lick and an exquisite marriage of guitar and sax it is clear this No 9 Billboard hit would become a nu-soul classic. However the imagery based lyrics are the real gem; from the chorus about a 'mist in your eyes from the smoke of a distant fire' to talk of dreamboats, bittersweet whine and 'rain on the fire of my soul' it's a great master class in song-writing.  Sanford and Townsend first met as band members in a Southern Psychedelic rock act during the 60s, which ironically mirrors how England Dan and John Ford Colley also first got met; their late 70s yacht rock duo contemporaries.