Lowrell Simon - Lowrell

Year Released: 1979
Genre: Soul, Funk, Disco, R&B

Description:

Lowrell is the self‑titled debut solo album by Lowrell Simon, released in 1979 through AVI Records. After years performing with vocal groups and working behind the scenes as a songwriter and producer, Simon stepped forward under his first name to present his personal artistic vision.

Recorded in the late 1970s, the album blends rich soul vocals with lush arrangements, funk grooves, disco sensibilities, and mellow romantic textures. Its sound sits comfortably at the intersection of late‑70s smooth soul and dance‑floor consciousness, reflecting both the era’s trends and Simon’s deep roots in Chicago’s soul tradition.

The LP features a tight tracklist of six songs:

Out Of Breath — an opening cut with emotional tension and layered instrumentation.

You’re Playing Dirty — a more up‑tempo, groove‑oriented song with flirtatious lyrics.

Overdose — a dramatic, expansive track with soulful vocals and dynamic shifts.

Mellow Mellow Right On — the standout hit, known for its hypnotic groove, heartfelt singing, and beautiful arrangement.

Mellow Mellow Right On (Instrumental) — a stripped version emphasizing the instrumentation and groove.

Smooth And Wild — a closing track that balances intimacy and polished production.

The album was produced by Bruce Hawes, Eugene Record, and Tom Tom 84, with executive production by Lowrell Simon himself and Gus Redmond. The production emphasizes warm strings, crisp rhythm sections, mellow keyboards, and subtle horn touches — all serving Simon’s expressive, silky voice.

Among the tracks, “Mellow Mellow Right On” is the signature piece. It became a modest hit, reaching #32 on the U.S. R&B charts, and #37 in the UK. Over time it gained cult status, becoming a favorite in rare groove and DJ circles — sampled and covered by many in later decades.

While Lowrell didn’t become a mainstream blockbuster, it stands as a passionate, refined solo statement from an artist whose strengths were always as a vocalist and songwriter. The album is cherished today by soul aficionados and collectors for its sincerity, beautiful arrangements, and its role in bridging 1970s soul and early 1980s dance sensibilities.