The Very Best of Willie Hutch

by Willie Hutch

Overview

One of the unsung heroes of 1970s soul, Willie Hutch was never the big name he deserved to be. The smooth singer/composer had a few major and moderate hits, but commercially, he didn't make it to the level of Marvin Gaye, Ronald Isley, and Curtis Mayfield (all of whom he inspires comparisons to). Released in late 1998, The Very Best of Willie Hutch spans 1972-1982 and reminds us how engaging a singer he was in his heyday. Hutch could get funky when he wanted to, and he does so with splendid results on "Get Ready for the Get Down" (a number 24 R&B hit), "Brothers Gonna Work It Out," and the theme from the 1973 blaxploitation film Foxy Brown. But for the most part, Hutch made his mark as a romantic crooner. It is Hutch's smooth, romantic side that prevails on "Sunshine Lady," "I Choose You," "What You Gonna Do After the Party," and his inspired makeover of Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were." Appropriately, the CD opens with Hutch's biggest hit: the perky, feel-good anthem "Love Power," which went to number nine on the R&B singles charts. Full of gems that were recorded during Hutch's peak years, this CD is essential listening for lovers of 1970s soul. ~ Alex Henderson

Product Details

Release Date:	08/25/1998
Label:	Motown
UPC:	0731453094321
Rank:	44568

Tracks

1. Love Power
2. Party Down
3. The Way We Were
4. I'll Be There
5. I Choose You
6. Slick
7. What You Gonna Do After the Party
8. Get Ready For the Get Down
9. Stormy Weather
10. Medley
11. Sunshine Lady
12. If You Ain't Got No Money (You Can't Get No Honey)
13. Brother's Gonna Work It Out
14. In and Out

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Willie Hutch   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Frank Hutch   Composer
Bob West   Composer
Fred Hammond   Executive Producer
Barry Gordon   Composer
Marvin Hamlisch   Composer
Eric "Vietnam" Sadler   Composer
Marilyn Bergman   Composer
Chuck D   Composer
Hal Davis   Composer
Willie Hutch   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Liner Notes,Compilation Producer
Alan Bergman   Composer
Harry Weinger   Compilation Producer
A. Scott Galloway   Liner Notes
Suha Gur   Digital Remastering
Ted Koehler   Composer
Hank Shocklee   Composer
Bob Kee   Arranger
David Irvin   Art Direction
Georgia Ward   Archives Director
Richard Hutch   Composer
Catherine Ladis   Project Assistant
Michelle Piza   Art Coordinator
Oscar Fields   Executive Producer
Joe Talley   Executive Producer
Berry Gordy, Jr.   Composer
Harold Arlen   Composer