Here's a fairly old school list of albums.
Can't buy a thrill - Steely Dan. Firstly, the album art is psychedelic!!. While the music is on the softer side of rock, it's got those soulful elements to the guitars, sax and the organ brings Into the variety of tunes. As usual, they kill it with their unexpected chord progressions( listen to the album called Aja for more) and background vocals.
Southern Comfort - Crusaders. I'm beginning to learn drums and percussion and for me, this album is a gift. I love the songs because they have si.plistoc grooves a beginner can easily pick up. And when you've learnt it and got yourself grooving to the kick drum's rhythm, you're accompanied by a "smooth jazzy" saxophone and a talk box in some songs.
Live at 25 - Huey Lewis & The News. Consists of songs they played in a live gig on their 25th anniversary. The bassist is just having a jolly good time, like you can here him groove and make up really good rock music. Crowd's going nuts listening to one killer band.
Reed Seed - Grover Washington Jr. I found this album when I was in a rough patch. Can't describe with words how smooth of a guy washington is. His sax just flows down like good fucking whiskey. I guess it's a acquired taste. Importantly, the album is very Innovative. Percussive variations everywhere gives the album an afro-funk feel to it and his sax with the bass to smoothen it out.
Did you feel that? - Joe Sample. He's a killer pianist and in this album, unlike his other ones, the songs really emphasise on funk and soul styles. The horns, percussions and casual sounds of jam-room chatter mixes so bloody well with Joe's smooth piano riffs.
Doubt it's your kind of music, OP, but anyone who's into similar genres of music, would 100 percent recommend these albums.