Forgotten Treasure: Shuggie Otis “Aht Uh Mi Hed” (1974)

I’ve loved this track for a really long time. I think the term that really comes to mind is that it falls under Psychedelic Soul. It has this atmospheric quality that I also like in people like Arthur Russell, Rotary Connection, War: that really really raw and organic feeling. For those who don’t know Shuggie Otis was a child prodigy who produced some great records but never fully blossomed into the commercial potential some envisioned for him (Quincy Jones worked on the production of one of his records that never came out). You might also know the track called “Strawberry Letter #23”, popularized by Brothers Johnson, well… the original was from Shuggie.

There was a Wax Poetics cover story on Shuggie in issue #31. A very interesting read!

Lexis

Montreal-based DJ and the founder MusicIsMySanctuary.com (2007) and 24 Hours of Vinyl (2011).