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The 10 best yacht rock albums to own on vinyl, climb aboard for the smoothest records you'll ever own.

In 2006, a group of buddies produced a series of short videos called “Yacht Rock.” The videos defined yacht rock as a genre of smooth music, born out of Southern California between 1976 and 1984, and featuring exceptional musicianship with roots in R&B, jazz and folk rock. Its stars: Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Toto and Steely Dan.

The last 11 years have tested the genre’s buoyancy. Since 2006, yacht rock has been co-opted by Big Radio, whose yacht playlists include flimsy AM gold like Bertie Higgins and California corporate rock like the Eagles. Luckily the originators of the term, through their podcast Beyond Yacht Rock, have helped to set the parameters of the genre.

Good yacht rock is frequently credited to many of the same names: established players like multi-instrumentalist Jay Graydon, producer David Foster, percussionist Victor Feldman, and hard-working-studio-band-turned-80s-superstars Toto. And it’s heavier on R&B and jazz than folk rock, incorporating the work of Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and others.

With that, here are the 10 best yacht rock albums to start your collection - or, shall I say, to christen your vessel.

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Record reviews.

Toto: Toto IV (1982, Columbia)

The album that shot Toto into superstardom is a perfect primer for the yacht rock sound. “Rosanna,” with drummer Jeff Porcaro’s iconic shuffle technique, makes multiple left turns, a crucial component of most yacht songs. You’ll know this album for “Rosanna” and No. 1 smash “Africa,” but the slow groove of “Waiting For Your Love” shows the band’s ability to dip into soul and R&B, a trait that helped them on cuts like “Human Nature” and “The Lady in My Life” off another yacht rock album, Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Toto could also bring the heat with mid-tempo stunners like “Make Believe” and “Good For You.” A deep listen of Toto IV reveals a group of professionals rarely wasting notes.

Boz Scaggs: Silk Degrees (1976, CBS)

If yacht rock is a marriage of jazz, R&B and singer-songwriter folk rock, Boz Scaggs’ breakout Silk Degrees is one of the earliest attempts at matrimony. Boz employed David Paich, David Hungate and Jeff and Joe Porcaro for the album, and their work here would set a template for the Toto sound (combine “Lowdown” and “Lido Shuffle” and you get something near “Rosanna”). There’s a few too many strings here, Boz gets a little too lyrical (Yacht Rock isn’t necessarily a lyricist’s genre) and the bass is so up front that it can feel like disco. But if you want to know the roots of yacht rock, Silk Degrees is a good choice.

Michael McDonald: If That’s What it Takes (1982, Warner Bros.)

Two crucial instruments in yacht rock: the Fender Rhodes keyboard and McDonald’s husky, blue-eyed soul tenor. If That’s What it Takes, McDonald’s solo debut after leaving the Doobie Brothers, has plenty of both. “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)” is essential yacht, a chill-out anthem featuring half of Toto, who also appear on the ballad “That’s Why” and slightly discofied “No Such Luck.” McDonald’s buddy Loggins co-writes “I Gotta Try,” one of many yacht anthems about fools looking to change their luck. And make no mistake: McDonald is the poster boy for fools constantly searching for small victories.

Kenny Loggins: High Adventure (1982, Columbia)

Loggins isn’t always yacht rock. Sometimes, like on High Adventure, he’s far too tender (“The More We Try”) or he’s far too heavy (“Swear Your Love”). But there’s a lot of yacht rock range on this enormously fun album, from the Latin-tinged “Heartlight” to the gritty “If It’s Not What You’re Looking For.” Then there’s Loggins’ version of “I Gotta Try” and, finally, a quintessential yacht rock hit, “Heart to Heart.” Loggins is a little lighter and slightly more soulful on his 1979 album Keep the Fire, which includes the stunning “This Is It.” He’s certainly an essential artist in the yacht canon, but always step lightly with Loggins. The guy is a chameleon.

Dane Donohue: Dane Donohue (1978, Columbia)

There are countless yacht rock albums either lost in bargain bins or available only as imports, from the 1980 self-titled album by Airplay (listen to the quintessential “Nothin’ You Can Do About It”) to 1978’s Blue Virgin Isles by Swedish singer Ted Gardestad. Dane Donohue’s 1978 self-titled debut is another, featuring Graydon, Feldman, members of Toto and Los Angeles studio professionals like Larry Carlton, Jai Winding and Steve Gadd. “Can’t Be Seen” has a distinct yacht sound, as does the crisp “Woman,” which features backing vocals from J.D. Souther and Stevie Nicks. You’ll tell quickly that Donohue is a third-rate vocal talent for the genre (McDonald or, say, Al Jarreau would elevate these tracks), but the point is the smooth, polished sound. Yacht rock is a player’s genre.

Steely Dan: Aja (1978, ABC)

Steely Dan’s importance to yacht rock can’t be overstated. They introduced the world to McDonald (“Any World [That I’m Welcome To]” off Katy Lied ) and curated an inner circle of studio professionals versed in jazz, R&B and soul, who would later perfect the yacht sound. Arguably the Dan is smoothest on the 1980 smash Gaucho , but Aja finds Walter Becker and Donald Fagen comfortably hitting a middle-ground stride. You’ve probably heard much of the album already, from the slithering journey of “Deacon Blues” to the percolating “Peg,” but what’s amazing about Aja is its ability to position Steely Dan as a mainstream hit factory while remaining expansive and adventurous (the title track, “I Got the News”).

Patti Austin: Every Home Should Have One (1981, Qwest)

Yacht rock is popularly considered a white man’s genre, but its roots are in the R&B and jazz that manifest itself as yacht soul on outstanding albums like Austin’s Every Home Should Have One. Examples? “Do You Love Me?” sounds awfully like Loggins’ “I Gotta Try.” And one could imagine McDonald singing “The Way I Feel.” “Love Me to Death” could have been a Michael Jackson outtake, or it’s just a rewrite of “Off the Wall.” The album’s high point is the slow burn “Baby, Come to Me,” which includes James Ingram’s smooth delivery, plus Toto’s Lukather on guitar and Foster on synthesizer. Check George Benson’s Give Me the Night and the Pointer Sisters’ Special Things for more examples of yacht soul.

Al Jarreau: Breakin’ Away (1981, Warner Bros.)

If there’s an album that showcases the yacht rock sound at its cleanest, Breakin’ Away may take the trophy. All of the pertinent studio personnel is on the album, from Toto to Graydon - who’s on as producer - laying down an adventurous, crisp template for Jarreau ( R.I.P .) to deliver his sharp, joyous tenor, complete with plenty of scatting. “We’re In This Love Together” and the title track (with Earth, Wind & Fire horns, a Graydon specialty) are mid-tempo yacht rock beauties. Elsewhere Jarreau experiments with jazzier flavors, but the musicianship is still top-notch. Check out Jarreau’s Jarreau from 1982 as another prime yacht rock attempt; both are albums you’ll want to spin on a bright summer morning.

Pages: Pages (1981, Capitol)

Before Richard Page and Steve George formed half of mid-1980s MTV stars Mr. Mister, their buttery voices were integral components of the yacht rock sound, contributing backing vocals on countless tracks. Their 1981 self-titled release (they also released a self-titled album in 1978 that’s more funkified) is pure yacht. Graydon produced half of the album, and Jeff Porcaro shows up frequently behind the kit. The flip-side of the album is more adventurous, but side A is pound-for-pound the best example of the genre you’ll find on vinyl, and one of the best finds of the sound (Pages’ previous Future Street is a little more proggy but still a treat). Seize Pages and you’ll soon find yourself on some roof deck singing along with Page and George.

Christopher Cross: Christopher Cross (1979, Warner Bros.)

Critics may scoff at Cross’ self-titled debut, a massive success that won five Grammys and scored four top-20 hits, but the album is impeccably performed and produced. Nearly everyone involved on the album is a yacht rock mainstay, from producer Michael Omartian down to the usual suspects, Graydon, Feldman and McDonald, who contributes those iconic backing vocals in “Ride Like the Wind.” “Never Be the Same” and “Say You’ll Be Mine” are both solid mid-tempo hits for the era. And then there’s “Sailing.” It’s actually a sonic outlier for the yacht rock genre, heavy on acoustic guitar and strings. But its message fits the genre (a fool searching for inner peace), and yeah, it’s still undeniably smooth.

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Timothy Malcolm can be found in a variety of publications across the New York metropolitan area. His writing can also be found there. He enjoys guessing No. 1 hits of the 1980s, visiting breweries, trying any beverage once, watching baseball and hiking for long distances across the Hudson Valley and Catskills of New York.

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Sailing: 10 Essential Yacht Rock Albums to Own as Vinyl Records

The sun is out, the wind is in your hair, and the smell of salty sea air permeates. It's the time of year that's practically begging you to drop the needle on some good old yacht rock . What is yacht rock, anyway? It's a bit difficult to define, but if the vibes are gentle, the guitars are mellow, and the vocals are buttery smooth, odds are you're listening to yacht rock. Yacht rock is experiencing something of a renaissance in popularity without much of a need or effort to reproduce it. There's something about Kenny Loggins with the windows down that just hits in a way that can't be replicated. As we get summer rolling, here's a list of essential yacht rock albums. 

Christopher Cross (1979) — Christopher Cross

Christopher Cross really helped to define the genre with his self-titled debut, right down to the pink flamingo on the cover. The album contains two of Cross' biggest hits, "Sailing" and "Ride Like the Wind," both staples of late '70s soft rock. "Sailing" in particular took on a life of its own, with its mellow, acoustic guitars and string sections coming to define Cross' career. 

Takin' It to the Streets (1976) —The Doobie Brothers

The Doobie Brothers emerged in the early 1970s as a relatively traditional rock band. Distorted guitars and high-octane solos were typical of the Doobies' sound, but that changed with the addition of vocalist Michael McDonald in 1976. With McDonald, the group released  Takin' It to the Streets , a more laid back, jazzier record that even incorporated a horn section. It was a tremendous success, leading to a permanent shift in musical approach for the band. McDonald left the band in 1982, but recently rejoined, reuniting the golden-era Doobie Brothers lineup. 

Breakin' Away (1981) — Al Jarreau

Beginning his career as a jazz musician, Jarreau gradually migrated closer to pop music as the '70s drew to a close. 1981's  Breakin' Away  is atply titled, as it represents his first major effort at a jazz-pop crossover, released to widespread acclaim. Jarreau added a jazz and soul influence to the yacht rock genre that took it in a new direction and opened doors for other artists to get in the game. Jarreau went on to release several more crossover albums, racking up Grammy nods along the way. 

Welcome Home (1978) — Carole King

When all is said and done, Carole King will go down as one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century. King has penned hit after hit after hit, both for other artists as well as her own impressive catalog.  Welcome Home  offers up King's typical level of brilliance, with hits like "Morning Sun." King may not fit squarely into the yacht rock subgenre, but the vibes are certainly there, and there's never not a valid excuse to listen to more Carole King. 

Can't Buy a Thrill (1972) — Steely Dan

Quick, think of the quintessential "dad band." It's Steely Dan, isn't it? Steely Dan later began experimenting with other genres like jazz fusion and electronic music, but always had one foot firmly planted in yacht rock.  Can't Buy a Thrill  is about as good of a debut album as can be, featuring iconic tracks like "Dirty Work," "Do It Again," and of course "Reelin' in the Years," iconic opening guitar solo and all. 

Late for the Sky (1974) — Jackson Browne

Re-issued on vinyl, Jackson Browne's landmark album,  Late for the Sky  is the record that thrust him into superstardom. Browne had already worked with the Eagles and other major artists as a songwriter, but  Late for the Sky  established him as a major player in soft rock, with the title track being used in the film  Taxi Driver . This was the album that opened the door for Browne, as he released a string of hits throughout the late '70s and '80s. 

No Secrets (1972) — Carly Simon

No Secrets  was Carly Simon's third outing, but her first major commercial success. The album features her signature song, "You're So Vain," leading to a web of conspiracy theories as to who the song could possibly be about in the pre-internet age. 50 years after its release, we're left with only a third of the answer. Simon also collaborated with major artists like James Taylor, Paul and Linda McCartney, and Mick Jagger to produce this icon of the '70s.

Outside From the Redwoods (1993) — Kenny Loggins

All hail Kenny Loggins, the Supreme Lord of Yacht Rock. There is arguably no artist so closely identified with the genre, from his days in the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to his solo work to the pinnacle of yacht rock with Loggins & Messina.  Outside From the Redwoods is a live album that serves as something of a retrospective of his career, touching on each phase; yes, even "Footloose." A large part of the yacht rock subgenre is collaboration with other yachties, as Loggins duets with Michael McDonald on "What a Fool Believes."

Songs You Know by Heart  (1985) — Jimmy Buffett

Nobody can transport you to a Caribbean island quite like Jimmy Buffett. Released in the '80s,  Songs You Know by Heart  is a compilation record of some of Buffett's biggest hits, including career-defining tracks like "Cheeseburger in Paradise" and "Margaritaville." Buffett's troves of loyal fans, known as Parrotheads, can chill with the best of them, reclining in their beach chairs, sipping on fruity drinks and spinning vinyl. 

Marathon (1979) — Santana

While Santana may be more closely identified with Carlos Santana's ripping blues guitar licks, 1979's  Marathon  veers into yacht rock. Vocalist Alex Ligertwood's smooth, R&B style vocals provide a new direction for Santana, as tracks like "You Know That I Love You" and "All I Ever Wanted" provided huge commercial success. Of course, the album is far from short on guitar mastery, with "Lightning in the Sky" featuring a signature Santana solo. 

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Taylor Swift: Speak Now (Taylor's Version)

Taylor Swift: The Tortured Poets Department [Ghosted White 2 LP]

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