Bloodstone (1973) Let Me Ride - LOST70sGEMS

After listening to some Bloodstone albums I discovered this glorious gems one of the best I've discovered with it's fast talkin verses and funky Sly Stone calls to 'Ride' alongside a groovy beat and jangly James Brown guitars. This could easily be played today with its fresh rap sounding melody and it's drug promotion lyrics but its another sign of how modern and yet timeless the artists from the 70s really were. Listen to this one on loop next time youre at the gym!

Ace (1977) Crazy World - LOST70sGEMS

Paul Carrack's funky Pub Rock band Ace had one final album in 1977 called No Strings with a steel Ducks Deluxe cover the urban grooves and smooth polished soul sound belonged more to Californian yacht rock, particularly on Crazy World with it's countrified group vocals. I'm Not Taking it Out On You is a great showcase for Carrack with an effortless melody and dual guitars, Let's Hang On captures triumphant Thom Bell/Spinners melodies, while Why Did You Leave Me? is a yearning blue eyed soul number; simple yet effective. The closer C'est La Vie sums up the album, full of polished soul gems with no real grit but a lot of laidback catchy-ness.

Ace (1974) Know How It Feels - LOST70sGEMS

Though this 1974 debut for the Pub Rock Band is most famous for the hit How Long, a smooth electric piano discofied soul tune complete with ghostly harmonies in the background and one of Britain's finest lead singers in the gritty heart of a tune about betrayal y either a lover or band member; who knows which is more devastating. the same funky chords and disco thud appear in opener Sniffing About as in their Blue eyed hit, but confusingly this band belonged to the back to basics rootsy Pub Rock of Brynsley Schwartz and Dr Wilco as evidenced by sparse numbers like Rock n Roll Runaway, The Real Feeling which seem fit for background to a game of pool and a few Amber jars. Satellite and 24 Hours is like a sleepier versions of a Meters Jam, Why is a softer than a pillow jam focusing on clean guitar licks, while Time Ain't Long is a cowboy shitkicker of a moan about old age. Know How It Feels with its treated vocal and maudlin kick drum and piano sound is the only track that even attempts to approach the darkness of their big hit, while So Sorry Baby is the only other song apart from the hit that has any real harmonies behind it. Their uncomplicated smooth RnB wasn't so great, but their big hit was good enough.