Sample from 4 Decades Worth of Blue-Eyed Soul by Bobby Caldwell

Inspiration

Sample from 4 Decades Worth of Blue-Eyed Soul by Bobby Caldwell

After Bobby Caldwell's untimely passing last year, reissue label Be With commemorated him as "a smooth titan of blue-eyed soul." He was indeed a true icon: his music inspired countless hip-hop songs (most famously 2Pac's "Do For Love" and the J Dilla-produced "The Light" by Common), and a slew of artists covered his smooth R&B and jazz-infused pop. With songs taken from ten records on Tracklib, you can now capture that smoothness in your own productions.

Tracklib

April 10, 2024

80s: Cat in the Hat / Heart of Mine

"Bobby Caldwell's follow-up to his successful solo debut album which featured the often-covered hit 'What You Won't Do for Love,' 'Cat in the Hat' showcases his sophisticated songwriting and soulful vocals."

—AllMusic

90s: Stuck on You / Where is Love / Soul Survivor / Blue Condition

"Pro forma urban contemporary material, with a trace of hip-hop influence and some fusion and light jazz elements."

—Ron Wynn on 1991's 'Stuck on You'

00s: Perfect Island Nights

"If ever I'm asked to pick my favorite body of work it would be the album we are about to release."

—Bobby Caldwell before releasing 'Perfect Island Nights'

10s: Big Band Hits & Standards

"'Beyond The Sea' was selected by actor/director Joe Mantegna as the opening theme for his directorial debut 'Lakeboat.' The song fit so well with the movie that Mantegna commissioned Bobby to compose an original piece, '(Oh Boy!) You've Got It Made,' as the closing theme."

—Bobby Caldwell's biography