I know I might be late, but how does Shuggie Otis' 1974 album, Inspiration Information sound overall as an album? Someone sent me some tracks from this album by-email and I thought it was pretty impressive and those songs sounded alot like Sly Stone's style. I am so appualled to find out that it was criminally neglected and ignored upon its release in 1974. As I listened to the tracks today, I became so disturbed because it was a long lost recording of a much corporatized American industry that failed to get behind the whole thing. It's like they kept something this good off the shelves and airwaves. Do you guys recommend me into copping this joint?
[Edited 6/21/07 14:15pm]

Great, I learned about Shuggie from this site about 3 years ago. 12 tracks plus 4 bonus from another LP of his, Freedom Flight I believe.

Shuggie did the original "Strawberry Letter 23"
[Edited 6/21/07 14:19pm]

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Those were one of the songs I recieved as an e-mail by someone today as well. I didn't know he did it first because I've always come to know that Brothers Johnson were the only ones to record it and Quincy Jones writing and producing the track. Now, I know that Shuggie wrote it and first recorded/produced this classic joint. (You learn something new everyday)
[Edited 6/21/07 14:22pm]

Shuggie was a young prodigy. He has been performing on guitar with his pops (Johnny Otis) since the 1960's when he was a young child.
They would have to sneak him in the clubs, put fake facial hair on him, so he could get down with the Johnny Otis Band.

Cop it. Even Sly was blown away by it. A great headphone CD.

SPYZFAN1 said:

Really?

SPYZFAN1 said:

Acouple of the tracks have a Sly feel to them.

...

Yup, you need to own that disc!!!




...

LittleBLUECorvette said:

that's what i noticed in some of those tracks. his voice sounds alot like like prince and curtis mayfield!

silverchild said:

What tracks did they send you?

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Island Letter, Strawberry Letter 23, Rainy Day, Pling, XL-30

Gift From Virgo

silverchild said:

They sent alot of the instrumentals.

The title track is real cool, "Sparkle City" is the Sly sounding track and "Happy House" is my favorite, but two short. The best instrumental is titled "No Available"

The bonus cuts from Freedom Flight feature "Strawberry" two long bluesy cuts and a funk number.

DirtyChris said:

Ah yes! It's so funny Beyonce was inspired by him and what's so ironic is that it's my fave song she's ever done... Rainy Day rocks!!!

yes u are very very very late !

silverchild said:

@silver... definitely cop that disc
if you can get your paws on it

I regret I didn't scoop it up
when I found the vinyl (mint condition)
at this wrecka stow in New Orleans (Odessey)
I think they wanted like 50 bucks for it though

I haven't heard the whole thing
but if the rest of it is anything
like "Rainy Day" I know I will love it

I wanna say my mother mentioned
meeting this guy back in the 70's
[Edited 6/21/07 16:03pm]

Ah man,....I won't even get started about Shuggie. TOTALLY underrated artist. And was a HUGE influence on Prince. I've stated on here several times that "Strawberry Letter #23" is definately one of my all time fave songs, by anyone. I've had the lyrics written out and framed, hanging on my wall for years. Shuggie was ahead of his time, sadly. He took what Sly was doing on his Fresh album and took it somewhere else. A must have if u like good music.

paligap said:

Agreed. His Funk was on its own level. And as much as I like Brothers Johnson Verson of Strawberry Letter #23, I have to dig on Shugg because he definitely put some stank on it.
[Edited 6/21/07 16:47pm]