Top 5 with Manish from New Yacht City

⛵It's time to set sail with our favorite yacht rock front man, Manish from New Yacht City! Manish is the band leader for New Yacht City, our favorite yacht rock cover band that specializes in that classic soft rock genre that makes you wanna pull out your captain's hat, sip on a Mai Tai and sing along to Christopher Cross.

When Manish isn't touring with his band in NJ, NY and CT, he's doing his best to hold it together while his kids are figuring out how to drive on their learner's permits. Flying Garter asked Manish who his Top 5 were for the ultimate yacht rock experience and why!

1. "What a Fool Believes" – The Doobie Brothers. This is the "North Star" of yacht rock. Written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, it features the definitive "Doobie bounce" drumbeat (the "Doobie Bounce") and McDonald’s soulful vocals. The production is airtight, and the lyrics about a man clinging to romantic delusion are pure 70s

2. "Peg" – Steely Dan. No yacht rock list is complete without the "Dan." Peg is a masterclass in studio obsession. It famously took seven different legendary guitarists to get the solo right (Jay Graydon finally nailed it). With Michael McDonald providing the soaring, multi-tracked background vocals and a drum groove that is mathematically perfect, it represents the high-budget jazz sophistication of the era.

3. "Africa" – TOTO. While some argue Toto leans more toward arena rock, Africa is a yacht masterpiece because of its players. The band consisted of the greatest session musicians in Los Angeles (the guys who played on Thriller and Silk Degrees). The lush synth textures, the kalimba-style sounds, and the complex vocal harmonies create an escapist atmosphere that is the perfect sing-a-long.

4. "Sailing" – Christopher Cross. If yacht rock had a literal anthem, this is it. Christopher Cross’s tenor and the soft, rolling piano evoke the feeling of being on the water better than any other song. It swept the Grammys for a reason: the arrangement is pristine, featuring Michael McDonald (sensing a theme yet?) and a dreamlike production that defines "smooth."

5. "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)" – Michael McDonald. This track is the pinnacle of "Blue-Eyed Soul." The rhythm section—led by Jeff Porcaro on drums and Louis Johnson on bass—creates a groove so iconic it was later sampled by Warren G for "Regulate." It’s the sound of 1982: expensive, soulful, and meticulously engineered. It proves that McDonald isn't just a guest star; he is the captain of the ship.

Honorable Mention: “How Long” by Ace (the ultimate "did he just find out his bandmate was playing with another band?" song) and “Lowdown” by Boz Scaggs (for that undeniable disco-yacht crossover appeal).

A huge thank you to Manish for giving us his Top 5. If you are looking to catch the sweet tunes of your favorite yacht rock songs, check out New Yacht City's upcoming dates, including their debut at Shawn's Crazy Saloon this weekend!

• Saturday, March 14 - Shawn's Crazy Saloon, North Arlington, 5pm (tickets)

• March 20, Gaslight, Atlantic Highlands

• March 21, Starving Artist, Stockton

• March 26, Parkside Lounge, NYC

*More dates on website listed above.

Check out my recap of New Yacht City from last year: Rock the boat...

Looking to book New Yacht City for your venue or private event? Contact Danielle aka Cha Cha at theflyinggarter@gmail.com.