Otis Redding - Love Man 7

Year Released: 1969
Genre: Soul / Funk / Southern Soul

Description:
Released posthumously on Stax, “Love Man” demonstrates Redding’s late-career shift toward funkier grooves. Horn stabs, punchy basslines, and syncopated percussion create a tough, danceable rhythm, while Redding’s vocals exude charisma and swagger. The track exemplifies his ability to merge deep southern soul with the raw energy that would influence funk and early R&B of the 1970s.

Its rhythmic drive and horn phrasing have made it a staple for rare-groove and soul DJs, particularly in Europe’s Northern Soul and funk revival scenes. The song also experienced a revival when featured in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, reintroducing Redding’s funk-infused soul to a wider audience and cementing it as a dancefloor favorite for a new generation.