4 anyone who digs Sly Stone, Hendrix and Prince, this is crucial listening! These 2 has 2 be the most underrated brothers of all time! First, Arthur Lee who was in the band LOVE. Their album "Forever Changes" is often cited as one of the greatest albums ever and it's a masterpiece. Arthur wrote great songs like "Seven and Seven Is", "Aloneagainor" and Love did the song "My Little Red Book". Arthur was the first brother 2 dress in a flashy and flamboyant style. This is often credited to Hendrix and Sly. But while Jimi was starving in New York and Sly was still living at home with his parents being a dj in Frisco, Arthur was already established and kicking BIG ASS. Love was the first group signed to Elektra records. Jim Morrison and Ropert Plant worshipped Arthur Lee. Lee's dress style and image had a hige influence on Hendrix. The round glasses, loud clothes, and scarves. Jimi and Lee were friends long before Jimi left for England. Hendrix played on a Lee song "My Diary" sung by Rosa Lee Brooks. Check out the lettering style of any Love album and then look at Jimi's album "Are You Experienced".
Lee was definately the first "black hippie freak". Lee predated Hendrix, Sly and Prince by being the first to have an intergrated band. Arthur Lee was a pioneer and was waaay ahead of his time.
Shugie Otis could play every instrument under the sun. He played with cats like Frank Zappa. Even though Shuggie was influenced by Sly's "Fresh" album, Shuggie's shit was even more "way out there". And was one of the first cats to record with a drum machine. You can hear Shugie's influence on Prince's albums {For You, Controversy, 1999, and parts of Sign's). Shugie's albums "Freedom Flight" (1971) and "Inspiration Information" (1974) were all one man band albums. He wrote and recorded "Strawberry Letter #23 back in 1974. The Brothers Johnson of course redid it and it was a huge hit . Also in 1974, Mick Jagger AND Keith Richards asked Shugie to play guitar in the Rolling Stones, replacing Mick Taylor. Shuggie turned them down. The boy was baad. Arthur Lee paved the way for Hendrix, Sly, and Funkadelic. Shugie paved the way for Prince & Lenny.

Love albums:
Love 1966
DeCapo 1966
Forever Changes 1967
Out Here 1969
False Start 1971 {includes Hendrix playing on the song "Everlating First" recorded in 1969)

Sorry 4 leaving out the "g" in "Shuggie" in places.

Shuggie's the man!! SO is his father!!

Oh, no worries about the "G" just so you know that's what that edit button's for.

Yeah, Shuggie's the Man! We used to wear out the grooves on Freedom Flight, and Inspiration Information was even better!....But What happened to him? When David Byrne rereleased the Inspiration CD on his label, there was a lot of press, He showed up on Conan O' Brien and Kilborn , performing "Strawberry Letter 23", and there was talk of a tour, and also talk of recording with D'angelo and others...then nothing - anybody know what happened?
[This message was edited Thu Jul 1 13:49:11 2004 by paligap]

paligap said:

I heard he put on a couple of shows on the west coast and they were awful.

I think it's hard for him to live up to people's expectations after the re-release of Inspiration Information. IMO, I think he should not try and capitalized on his refound glory, he should leave it up to our imaginations. Basically, if he wasn't still doing it, leave it alone.

Though, I would love to hear some outtakes from that era.

paligap said:

I heard that Shuggie isn't well. His health. I hope he gets better. Arthur is still getting down though. I seen him live twice out here in L.A. I know Mike Randall, he's playing guitar the reformed Love. I've known Mike for years.

In the reformed Love.

I didn't think I would get a grip of posts on this topic, mainly because I didn't think a lot of folks on here even knew who these cats were. I had hoped that because they had influenced Prince that maybe people would check them out. They're worth checking out anyway regardless of Prince.

I love Shuggie's "Inspiration Information" - it's like a blend of Todd Rundgren, old Hall & Oates and early Prince - deeeeelicious.

I got "Forever Changes" last summer and I can't really get into it. Maybe sometime in the future I'll be in a headspace where I'll be more receptive to it.

blackguitaristz said:

Ive checked them both .I have "Forever Changes" and "Inspiration Information" and a comp that contains "Here Comes S.O./Freedom Flight".I think that both are talented in the music and lyrics dept,but a bit weak on vocals. What I mean to say is that I was very impressed with their music ,but less so with their singing.Lee and Otis actually sound a bit similar to me.Im not dissing them ,tho.All of those albums are classics in my book.

And ,by the way, props to yourself,paligap and psykosoul for your excellent discussions of great music in this forum.You guys have rescued it from the MJ cesspool it was turning into.


[This message was edited Thu Jul 1 18:57:07 2004 by MrTation]

Anxiety said:

MrTation said:

Thank you man.

blackguitaristz said:

Yeah, Thanks Large, Man!!!

MrTation said:

Yeah, vocally they do.

"Island Letter" makes it way onto every slow jam mix CD I create.

psykosoul said:

Good jam, that one.