"Theme from Shaft" other suggestions from that era/genre

I'm putting songs on my iPod for working out at the gym. I can't stand the music that they play there (usually some satellite radio station playing the same 20 songs in constant rotation, with Lady Gaga's Paparazzi being repeated every time I go there).

I am currently exploring slightly cheesy early 70's funk/rock/soul/blue-eyed soul with large amounts of wah-wah and scratching electric guitar, strong bass, throaty male vocals, horns and a smattering of strings, all with a decently quick tempo.

"Vehicle" by Ides of March and "Theme from Shaft" by Isaac Hayes are already on the iPod.

Need more similar suggestions...

Not really what you're looking for but the best performance available of the Theme From Shaft.

how about things like Rare Earth, Kool and the Gang, Ohio Players?

I recently burned some CD's of music that was around when (and before) I started to really appreciate music. Some of this older stuff sounds terrific when heard on a decent sound system for the first time. (When I was a kid it was crappy portable transistor radios playing the local am station.)

Curtis Mayfield -Pusherman
Stevie Wonder- pretty much anything, but the album "Innervision" is bril.
The Spinners - Rubberband man
Brazil66 - Mas que nada
The Vogues - 5 o'clock world
Mr Bloe - Groovin with Mr Bloe

That the sort of thing you're after?
Also worth checking out early Doobie Brothers, Beatles, KC and the Sunshine band, Commodores, and of course, Jimi Hendrix.

Hi all, thought I would poke my head in and take a look around...

Here's a few I like (don't you dare call CM cheesy though!):
Whacha you see is what you get - the Dramatics (pretty much anything by them is good)
Move on Up - Curtis Mayfield
It's a Shame - the Spinners
This Old Heart Of Mine - Isley Brothers
Across 110th St. - Bobby Womack
Yearnin' Learnin' - EW&F
Let's Get it On - Marvin Gaye - slow, but maybe good for lifting weights to...
Car Wash - Rose Royce (Love the movie too!)

And of course...
Brick House - The Commodores

"Shaft" on ukelele....that put a big smile on my face after a long day at work! :oD

Lots of great suggestions there! I've got my work cut out for me!

Rubber Band Man: loved that since i was a kid, I will download that tonight. Probably some other Spinners songs I can use. I was also thinking of Marvin Gaye and Barry White after my original post. Someone also mentioned Earth Wind & Fire to me this afternoon.

Many thanks! :oD

Hiya Nita - I was thinking of Marvin Gay too but thought the same thing, maybe a little too slow and not quite funk R & B - but definitely gettin' your groove on

@ Hats - Yeah baby! lighting cigarette :)) Come to think of it, maybe I shouldn't use it for workout music, I might get arrested...or accosted.

"or accosted"

Ya think? if only I could find a loud speaker small enough to attach to my Shuffle

Double up Pusher Man with Freddy's Dead

Who's That Lady - Isley Bros
I'll be around - Spinners
Use Me - B Withers
Yes We Can Can - P Sisters
Keep on Trucking - Eddie Kendricks
Me and Mrs. Jones - Billy Paul
Montego Bay - Bobby Bloom
Rainy Night in Georgia - Brooks B

Time has Come Today, the Chambers Brothers.
This version is shorter, there are much longer psychedelic versions, both have changes of pace good for workouts.
This song is older and different than any of the others noted.

I just said it in another thread and couldn't think of it here - Sly and The Family Stone

iTunes is getting rich off me this week...

:oD

Also, if you're into blaxploitation, there are several intriguing soundtracks dating back to that era, such as Womack's "Across 110th street", Marvin Gaye's "Trouble Man", James Brown's "Black Caesar" or Edwin Starr's "Hell Up In Harlem".

Wow, my first post here in almost four years.

ial, great to see you!

Check out the intro on Money - For the love of Money OJays

The 'Shadows', Cliff Richard's old backing band, did release some great up-tempo stuff in the 60's/70's, would be great stuff to out work on.

This threads got me going through my old stuff now. :)

Dunno about the era for the music but think these may be about right for style.

Umm how about some Sly and Family Stone, (esp' "if you want me to stay")
George Clinton (in various bands) def have a look at Parliement - We want the funk
Wilbur Bascombe and Zodiac - Just a groove in G
War - Low rider
Rosko - Peacemaker
The Soul Searchers - Ashleys Roachclip
The Jimmy Castor Bunch - It's Just Begun
The Headhunters - God Made Me Funky
Tears of a Clown - Smokey Robinson
rosko - Green onions
stevie wonder / Red Hot Chilli Peppers - higher ground
Ramsey Lewis - Back in the U.S.S.R
Ram Jam - Black Betty

Just saw this thread...

Slightly different from what other people are posting here, but you might like this: check out soundtracks from 1970s Bollywood movies, especially ones that have lots of instrumentals (from the car chase scenes, the fight scenes, etc).

E.g., the compilation Bollywood Funk is wonderful, and it looks like there are a couple other compilations that I don't have yet listed there....