MCCRAE, JASPER, BUTLER AND FLACK

Sonic tributes to the sad passing of four soul icons

This was an absolutely brutal week in the legacy of classic soul as several giants and accomplished performers died.

Gwen McCrae’s husky delivery and sultry sound made her one of the great voices to come out of the Miami music scene. On this 1975 hit, “Rocking Chair,” Gwen rides an incredibly funky groove to dance floor heaven. Her husband George had previously had an early disco hit with the flowing “Rock Your Baby,” so that was one sexy household.

Chris Jasper, along with Ernie and Marvin Isley, joined the venerable Isley Brothers trio in 1973, making a vocal harmony group into a self-contained band that recorded a string of classic albums. Later the three younger members recorded under the banner of Isley-Jasper-Isley and released the classic “Caravan of Love” with Chris on lead vocals.

Jerry Butler epitomized the smooth soul sound of Chicago. His deep voice was like cognac on vinyl. He didn’t move much on stage because his voice did all the necessary work. That’s why folks called him the Ice Man. Jerry was classy in a way the culture has lost. His performance of “For Your Precious Love” is a standard that still touches the heart.

Roberta Flack was a unique artist, as adept on piano as she was as a singer, who fused classical, jazz and pop elements. She had impeccable musical taste and an innate sophistication that didn’t sacrifice the spiritual. She made so many classic recordings but with his duet with Donny Hathaway is so silky and sexy, it is how I’ll always remember her.