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May 12, 2025 17 mins

Before autotune. Before hooks were crafted by committees. There was sound—raw, undiluted, and electric. The 1970s birthed a golden age where instrumentation wasn’t just the backdrop—it was the story. And for this special edition of Good Vinyl Mornings, PL Sweets spins deeper than the grooves on the record. He’s pulling the needle back to a time when rhythm and melody didn’t need lyrics to speak straight to the soul.

These 15 instrumental masterpieces weren’t just tracks—they were movements. They carried the weight of culture, the swagger of the streets, the elegance of orchestras, and the pulse of protest, party, and personal reflection. Whether you were stepping out, rolling slow, or simply vibing in your living room, these records told your story without saying a word.

And who better to guide this journey than PL Sweets himself? A crate digger and cultural translator, he’s sharing his Top 15 picks—tracks that shaped his ears, his outlook, and his love for music that breathes on its own.

From the hypnotic “Chameleon” by Herbie Hancock—a track that broke jazz free from its purist chains and introduced the world to funk’s experimental edge—to the forever-floaty “Brazilian Rhyme” by Earth, Wind & Fire, which proves you don’t need three minutes to change a mood—just the right 45 seconds. You’ll drift in the hazy heat of “Summer Madness”, and ride the cinematic grandeur of “Theme from Shaft”, where Isaac Hayes made every strut down the block feel like a scene from your own Blaxploitation film. From the sultry sax work of Grover Washington Jr., to the orchestral elegance of Love Unlimited Orchestra, every track in this setlist is a reminder that the most powerful messages sometimes have no words at all.


These aren’t just songs—they're sonic monuments. They’re what the '70s felt like, sounded like, and moved like. And they’re the blueprint for every producer, beatmaker, and DJ who’s sampled them since. These grooves are the godparents of hip-hop, the cousins of soul, and the unsung heroes of jazz radio. So, tune in. Drop the needle. And let PL Sweets take you back to the art of letting the music speak for itself.

PL Sweets’ Top 15 Instrumental Picks:  Playlist Link

  1. Brazilian Rhyme – Earth, Wind & Fire
  2. Chameleon – Herbie Hancock (1973)
  3. Summer Madness – Kool & The Gang (1974)
  4. Theme from Shaft – Isaac Hayes
  5. Mr. Magic – Grover Washington Jr. (1975)
  6. Love is the Message – MFSB
  7. Rock Creek Park – The Blackbyrds (1975)
  8. Breezin’ – George Benson
  9. Love’s Theme – Love Unlimited Orchestra (1974)
  10. Pick Up the Pieces – Average White Band
  11. Jungle Boogie – Kool & The Gang
  12. Cissy Strut – The Meters
  13. Funky Stuff – Kool & The Gang
  14. Runnin’ – Earth, Wind & Fire
  15. Red Clay – Freddie Hubbard

This list isn’t just music—it’s a time capsule of sound.


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