Δεύτερο άλμπουμ για το παιδί-θαύμα, γιο του θρυλικού, ελληνικής καταγωγής R&B παραγωγού Johnny Otis. Ο Shuggie Otis, singer-songwriter-guitar virtuoso (“αγαπημένος νέος κιθαρίστας” του BB King) υπογράφει τα περισσότερα κομμάτια του Freedom Flight, παίζοντας και όλα σχεδόν τα υπόλοιπα όργανα : μπάσο, όργανο, πιάνο, ντραμς etc. Ήταν 17 χρόνων. Παρά το τεράστιο respect στους μουσικούς κύκλους (μεταξύ άλλων δέχτηκε – και απέρριψε – πρόταση των Rolling Stones) η φήμη του Shuggie δε θα ξεπέρναγε ποτέ το cult status. Ακούμε δυο tracks από το άλμπουμ : Sweet Thang (οργανικό) και Strawberry Letter 23. Το δεύτερο έγινε επιτυχία αργότερα την ίδια δεκαετία από τους Brothers Johnson. 📀 📀 📀 This is the second album from the child prodigy and son of the legendary R&B producer Johnny Otis (who was of Greek descent). Shuggie Otis—a singer-songwriter and guitar virtuoso (B.B. King’s “favorite young guitarist”)—wrote most of the tracks on Freedom Flight and played almost all the other instruments himself: bass, organ, piano, drums, and so on. He was 17 years old. Despite commanding immense respect within musical circles—he even received, and turned down, an offer from the Rolling Stones—Shuggie’s fame never rose beyond cult status. We are listening to two songs from the album : Sweet Thang (instrumental) and Strawberry Letter 23. The second became a hit later that same decade for the Brothers Johnson.

00:00 Sweet Thang 04:12 Strawberry Letter 23

STRAWBERRY LETTER 23
Hello, my love, I heard a kiss from you
Red magic satin playing near too
All through the morning rain I gaze, the sun doesn’t shine
Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind
In the garden I see, west purple shower bells and tea
Orange birds and river cousins, dressed in green
Pretty music I hear, so happy and loud
Blue flowers echo from a cherry cloud
Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue
Playgrounds will laugh
If you try to ask or is it cool, is it cool?
If you arrive and don’t see me
I’m gonna be with my baby
I’m free flying in her arms
Over the sea
Stained window yellow candy screen
See speakers of kites
With velvet roses diggin’ freedom flight
A present from you
Strawberry letter 22
The music plays, I sit in for a few
A present from you
Strawberry letter 22
The music plays, I sit in for a few
A present from you
Strawberry letter 22
The music plays, I sit in for a few