Lucky In Love Mix Tape May 05 '02 (Updated May 09 '02)    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet The Bottom Line As The Beatles said, "relax, unwind and let your mind float downstream," while your body let's the music do the talking. Back in the 70's, romance came your way courtesy of velvet voiced Lotharios like Smokey Robinson (of The Miracles), Luther Vandross, Barry White, Lionel Ritchie or foxy ladies such as Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Donna Summers and that First Lady of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Through the Disco down early 80's, through power pop, alt-rock, grunge and into today's neo-metal noodlings, Romance has been a constant, with a capital R. Mix tapes to set the mood, or create the right vibe for good loving, transcend years, styles and genré. Here are a double handful of mixed bag love songs to accompany candlelight, a favorite chilled beverage, and the phone most definitely off the hook! Saving All My Love, by Gig Garcia. Gig, formerly Greg Garcia of The Garcia Brothers is a singer-songwriter with a mellow, yet expressive voice. Besides penning glorious love songs, he plays bass, keyboards, and helps mix/produce high quality sound through Headliner Music. The Grammy nominee, and Emmy award winner will set the right mood with these endearing words: With your love I'm in the right direction/(I know I can't go wrong)/I can feel the passion grow/I know that my heart needs no protection/(Because my love is stong)/So I let my feelings show/And when I'm feeling down/You give me what I need/I'll always be around/You've got that guaranteed, yeah. The Seduction, by David Sanborn. Continuing the jazzy feel, alto sax-master Sanborn, (Brecker Brothers), subtly turns up the heat a notch with this slinky bedroom number. Instrumentals give you a bit of time to nibble ears, and profess your adoration. Lady Marmalade by Labelle, the original version, where it all started. Earthy vocals, with drum and keyboard syncopation, and a touch of French creates a slight naughtiness while letting you shake that arm that went numb behind the back of your beloved. The fact that Lady Marmalade entertained this fellow on black satin sheets, and had him calling out for more, more, more may create interesting conversational openers, or just place a small subliminal message, plus the words just feel sensuous rolling off the tongue: Gitchie gitchie ya ya da da Gitchie gitchie ya ya here, Mocca chocolata ya ya Creole Lady Marmalade. Voulez-vous coucher avec moi se soir, voulez-vous coucher avec moi? Lovely Lady by the aforementioned Brecker Brothers invites you to get up and dance slow and close. A nice long number, this one will give more time for neck nuzzling, and drinking in the delicious aromas of your special date, while the Brothers compliment her beauty. Walking In Space, featuring Quincy Jones sets a course for interplanetary exploration and connection, courtesy of The Age of Aquarius, and a kinder, gentler time when those of us from the 60's and 70's had plenty of long, flowing hair. Creamy, dreamy vocals underscore the physical side of this otherwise celestial big band workout. Miss Love by the subdudes has more of that smoky Crescent City mojo, and the deep down moaning desire of a man flat out in love. True, he's in love with a memory, but lead vocalist, Tommy Malone works to keep that tiny spark alive. Ultimately it gets under your skin, creating an innocent-seeming little itch that begs to be scratched! Angelina by Tom Faulkner. Another lovely slow number, with an almost unplugged feel to it, with beautiful guitar. This one demonstrates your sensitive, non-animal nature that will have her eating out of your hand, as she thinks of your intelligent and perceptive nature. Cuddle to this one, then as a good host, offer to refresh and replenish her glass of Love Potion # 9. Spanish Moon by Little Feat. Just to make sure you're not falling asleep by now, Lowell George, Paul Barrere and the boys will have you moving to the beat, and loving the downtown funkiness of this one. You could replace it with Rocket In My Pocket if you feel the need to speed things up a bit. Try A Little Tenderness by Otis Redding. Sometimes you need a classic by a true master to help finish set the perfect stage. A friendly little shoulder and upper back and neck rub will further demonstrate your good intentions, and help both of your relax while she thrills to your touch. On Bended Knee, Avance. Latin salsoul, or salsa fresca, either way these San Francisco Bay Area musicians have it going on. They sing in English, Spanish and Spanglish, but this one makes its intentions very clear. An insistent groove line backs up the heart-felt vocals to this gentle samba that sounds as good as Carlos Santana himself! Tender Lover features the smooth groove of R&B heart throb, Babyface. The title says it all, and you'll impress your lady with this tasteful ode to love. It might make you both feel like slipping into something a bit more comfortable. Can't Hide Love, by the highly talented ensemble, Earth, Wind & Fire, should smoke out even those reluctant hold-outs, who just need to let go and take the plunge. Lush vocal harmonies, horn-kissed funk rhythms and seamless production values help you create your own boogie wonderland. Sexual Healing, as explained by the late, great Marvin Gaye, soothes over old hurts, and gets closer to the real nitty gritty, while increasing the physical yearning and burning. One Night With You by the old cheese meister himself, Gino Vanelli. This early 80's vocal equal of the later Kenny G., makes a synthesized plea for major togetherness, and may be readily exchanged with the more in your face hunger of Love Me Now, if you feel especially lucky. Well do ya, kid? ********************************************************* This music review is dedicated to Gig and Lucky Garcia, two mighty talents in their own right, and even more awesome when combined with Northern California's own band of renown, The Garcia Brothers Band.

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