March 22–29, 2001

disc quicks| rock/pop

Shuggie Otis

Inspiration Information

(Luaka Bop)

Perhaps you’re down with Shuggie? No? The son of Cali bandleader Johnny Otis and himself a child guitar prodigy, he had a couple good solo blues records under his afro by age 18. No? He was asked to replace Mick Taylor in the Stones and played on Zappa’s Hot Rats. No? The Brothers Johnson had a 1977 #5 (#1 R&B) Billboard hit with a cover of his "Strawberry Letter 23." Okay, truth is, not many people know Shuggie. And this sweet, soulful 1975 R&B record has never before been released on CD. Shuggie was born too late — or gave up too early. While the title track and "Sparkle City" compare to the more paisley side of Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield, Shuggie was a little hard to categorize. These jams and instrumental experiments must have puzzled his blues fan base and potential new fans alike. Regardless, his use of cheesy pre-set organ percussion (think Air), his subtle use of sound effects ("Aht Uh Mi Hed"), his jazzy time changes ("Not Available"); these things will sound fresh to a contemporary audience better prepared to get Shuggie with it. The four bonus tracks from 1971’s Freedom Flight (including the original "Strawberry Letter 23") aren’t too shabby either.

—Chris Nosal