Description

Smoke Inc. – Waitin’ For Your Love (7″ Reissue) [Mr Bongo MRB7212]

This release heralds the launch of a new 7” series from Mr Bongo. In partnership with London-based DJ and digger, Miche, the series will feature his latest discoveries, as well as choice cuts, taken from his ‘With Love’ compilations. For the inaugural offering, we take a trip to hazy San Francisco, California, in 1977. Smoke, Inc. was an emerging band in the Greater San Francisco Bay area and a regular fixture in the buzzing live music scene. They had a strong following, holding down a residency as well as opening for many prestigious acts such as Sly & The Family Stone, Taj Mahal, The Pointer Sisters and Toots and The Maytals.

They went on to release one 12″ EP and two 7″ singles. One of those 7’s included ‘Waitin’ For Love’. It was first released in 1977 and came out on the band’s own self-titled imprint. It has gone on to become their rarest and most sought-after recording, now fetching up to an astonishing £2,500 on Discogs. It is a breezy, feel-good, modern/crossover soul beauty, with an infectious sing-along chorus, floaty flute solo, and packed with pure, uplifting dancefloor energy. The B-side features a cover version of the Holland Dozier & Holland-penned classic ‘It’s the Same Old Song’, made famous by the Four Tops.