Soothing The Pain Of Commuting: For Real

Flowers: For Real
From: Soul Spectrum Vol. 2 [Bbe, 1999]

Roy Ayers & Wayne Henderson: For Real
From: Step Into Our Life [Polydor, 1978]

It's always an eye opener when you go for years appreciating a track only to find out that it's a cover and the original is even better.

Roy Ayers & Wayne Henderson's Step Into Our Life was one of the very first records I ever picked up on my digging travels and, while the record as a whole failed to capture my imagination, I'd always had a soft spot for the track For Real with its mellow sound and sunshine style.

I'd always believed that the track was an original until a friend played me the Flowers version a few weeks ago and it blew my tiny mind.

Both versions feature the same languid rhythms and blissed out soul but the Flowers version brings an added punch to the party that belts and relaxes me at the same time. Full of true soul and beautiful melodies this is one of The Greatest songs to chill out to on your way to or from work.

I've included both versions for you to compare and contrast but in my eyes there's only one winner. I hope it makes your Monday a little bit more tolerable.......