Willie Mitchell – Soul Bag (Hi Records SHL 32050)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Willie Mitchell Soul Bag – Hi Records SHL 32050 Review 

 

 

 

 

Hi Records 1968/69   SHL 32050

 

 

 notes:

Willie Mitchell – Soul Bag: Memphis Soul Jazz at Its Finest

Few instrumental albums capture the unmistakable sound 
of Memphis quite like Willie Mitchell's Soul Bag. Released 
on Hi Records SHL 32050, this outstanding LP finds the
celebrated saxophonist, arranger, producer, and future 
architect of the legendary Hi Records sound delivering a
n irresistible blend of soul, jazz, blues, and rhythm & blues.

Long before producing Al Green's greatest recordings, 
Willie Mitchell had already established himself as one of 
Memphis' most sophisticated bandleaders. Soul Bag perfectly
 demonstrates his gift for combining polished horn arrangements, 
infectious grooves, and tasteful improvisation.

Supported by some of Memphis' finest studio musicians, 
Mitchell creates a warm, elegant instrumental album that 
bridges the worlds of jazz clubs and soul dance floors.

credits:

Recording studio:
Although Hi Records did not print recording details on 
the original LP, Soul Bag was almost certainly recorded at:
Royal Recording Studios (Hi Recording Studio)
1320 South Lauderdale Street, Memphis, Tennessee

By 1969, Willie Mitchell was producing virtually all of 
his own Hi Records sessions there, and Royal Studios 
had become the home of the distinctive Hi instrumental sound.

Recording period: Most likely late 1968 to early 1969
Engineer: Probably Willie Mitchell (no engineer is credited on the original LP)
Arrangements: Willie Mitchell
Producer: Willie Mitchell
Supervised by: Joe Cuoghi

Leader

Willie Mitchell – trumpet, bandleader, arrangements

Rhythm Section

Teenie Hodges – guitar
Leroy Hodges – bass
Charles Hodges – organ, piano
Howard Grimes – drums

Additional musicians (possible)

Archie Turner – piano on selected tracks
James Mitchell – saxophone
Memphis Horns members on selected horn overdubs:
Andrew Love – tenor saxophone
Wayne Jackson – trumpet

tracklist:

A1  Apollo X
    Songwriter Love*, Jackson* 
A2 One Mint Julep
    Songwriter  Toombs*      
A3 I'm A Midnight Mover
    Songwriter  Womack*, Picket*     
A4 Cherry Tree
    Songwriter  Love*, Jackson* 
A5 Young People
    Songwriter  Love*, Jackson* 
A6 Blue Blue Light
    Songwriter  Chalmers 
B1 Everyday People
    Songwriter  Stewart*     
B2 Knock On Wood
    Songwriter  Floyd*, Cropper*     
B3 Grand Slam
    Songwriter  Hodges*, Mitchell*      
B4 Honey Pot
    Songwriter  Jackson*, Love*, Dunn*, Newman*, Hayes*, Cropper*      
B5 Hawaii Five-O
    Composed By  Stevens* 
B6 Set Free
    Songwriter  Love*, Hodges*, Jackson* 

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