Monday, September 10, 2012

Shuggie Otis - Inspiration Information (1974 us, trippy r 'n' b psychedelic soul, bonus tracks reissue)



Information belongs to the mind. It can be gathered, coded, processed, and decoded, and used for any number of purposes. Inspiration comes from the soul. It is an elusive spark, one that cannot be bought or sold, nor artificially triggered. It is a gift. That the two can be combined into something quietly exciting is proven by the music on this, Shuggie Otis' third solo album. 

There is some old (several of the basic tracks were recorded over the last two years), and some new (for the first time, Shuggie has assumed complete artistic control. Handling almost all of the production and arrangements). Most present, however, is the sense and beginning of a totally new struggle for Shuggie. The thirteen-year-old who made his recording debut with the Johnny Otis Show, and later came to National attention through the Al Kooper Sessions, is a man and an artist now. 

He is creating in the seventies, a time whose conflicts are being shaped by information - and the lack of it. One gets the feeling that even as the information changes, so will the inspiration.
by Winston Cenac (Scoops), 1974
Tracks
1. Inspiration Information - 4:12
2. Island Letter - 4:41
3. Sparkle City - 5:58
4. Aht Uh Mi Hed - 4:16
5. Happy House - 1:16
6. Rainy Day - 2:42
7. XL-30 - 2:09
8. Pling! - 4:28
9. Not Available - 2:31
10.Strawberry Letter 23 - 3:59
11.Sweet Thang (words by Johnny Otis) - 4:03
12.Ice Cold Daydream - 2:30
13.Freedom Flight - 12:56
Words and Music by Shuggie Otis except where indicated.

Musicians
*Shuggie Otis - Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Organ, Piano, Vibraphone, Percussion, Analog Drum Machines
*Jack Kelso - Saxophones, Flute
*Jeff Martinez - French Horn
*Carol Robbins - Harp
*Doug Wintz, Jim Prindle - Trombone
*Curt Sleeten, Ron Robbins - Trumpet
*B. Porter, B. Asher, D. Jones, J. Parker, L. Rosen, M. Zeavin, N. Roth, S. Boone, T. Ziegler - Strings
*Jim "Supe" Bradshaw - Backing
*Johnny Otis  - Vocals, Percussion
*Wilton Felder  - Bass
*Aynsley Dunbar - Drums
*George Duke - Organ
*Mike Kowalski - Drums
*Richard Aplanalp - Tenor  Saxophone, Oboe

Shuggie Otis releases
1969  The Kooper Sessions
1969-71  Plays The Blues
1970-71  Here Comes / Freedom Flight
1973-77  In Session Information

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