Willie Mitchell – Ooh Baby, You Turn Me On (Hi HL 12039) Review
Hi Records 1967 – HL 12039
Notes:
First pressing with original title
Few producers left a greater mark on Memphis soul than Willie Mitchell.
Best known for producing the legendary recordings of Al Green, Mitchell
also enjoyed a successful career as a saxophonist, composer, arranger and
recording artist. Released on Hi Records as HL 12039, Ooh Baby, You Turn Me On
perfectly captures the sophisticated Memphis soul sound that made
Hi Records famous during the 1970s.
Unlike the hard-edged soul emerging from other Southern studios, Mitchell
favored elegant horn arrangements, silky rhythm sections and understated
grooves. Every track reflects his remarkable ability to blend soul, funk, jazz
and rhythm & blues into a polished yet deeply emotional sound.
Recorded at the legendary Royal Recording Studio, the album showcases the
unmistakable Hi Records house band. The musicians create a warm atmosphere
filled with tasteful guitar work, subtle keyboards, deep bass lines and the
relaxed drumming that became synonymous with Memphis soul.
Mitchell's saxophone remains the centerpiece throughout the album.
Rather than overpowering the arrangements, his playing complements each
song with melodic phrasing, expressive solos and refined musicianship.
The result is an album equally appealing to soul enthusiasts, jazz listeners
and collectors of vintage vinyl.
Today, Ooh Baby, You Turn Me On remains one of the overlooked gems in
Willie Mitchell's extensive catalog. Original Hi Records pressings continue
to attract collectors who appreciate classic Memphis productions and
the timeless sound that helped define an era of American soul music.
Whether you're discovering Willie Mitchell for the first time or
expanding a Hi Records collection, this LP
Few producers left a greater mark on Memphis soul than Willie Mitchell.
Best known for producing the legendary recordings of Al Green, Mitchell
also enjoyed a successful career as a saxophonist, composer, arranger and
recording artist. Released on Hi Records as HL 12039, Ooh Baby, You Turn Me On
perfectly captures the sophisticated Memphis soul sound that made
Hi Records famous during the 1970s.
Unlike the hard-edged soul emerging from other Southern studios, Mitchell
favored elegant horn arrangements, silky rhythm sections and understated
grooves. Every track reflects his remarkable ability to blend soul, funk, jazz
and rhythm & blues into a polished yet deeply emotional sound.
Recorded at the legendary Royal Recording Studio, the album showcases the
unmistakable Hi Records house band. The musicians create a warm atmosphere
filled with tasteful guitar work, subtle keyboards, deep bass lines and the
relaxed drumming that became synonymous with Memphis soul.
Mitchell's saxophone remains the centerpiece throughout the album.
Rather than overpowering the arrangements, his playing complements each
song with melodic phrasing, expressive solos and refined musicianship.
The result is an album equally appealing to soul enthusiasts, jazz listeners
and collectors of vintage vinyl.
Today, Ooh Baby, You Turn Me On remains one of the overlooked gems in
Willie Mitchell's extensive catalog. Original Hi Records pressings continue
to attract collectors who appreciate classic Memphis productions and
the timeless sound that helped define an era of American soul music.
Whether you're discovering Willie Mitchell for the first time or
expanding a Hi Records collection, this LP
credits:
First pressing with original title.
Recording period: 1966–1967
Studio: Royal Recording Studios, Memphis, Tennessee
(later known as Royal Studios)
Producer: Willie Mitchell
Arranger: Willie Mitchell
Recording Engineer: Ray Harris
(Hi Records' principal engineer during this period)
Producer – Joe Cuoghi
Probable Personnel
Horns
Willie Mitchell – trumpet, bandleader, arrangements
James Mitchell – tenor saxophone
Additional Memphis horn players (uncredited)
Rhythm Section
Teenie Hodges – guitar (probable)
Bobby Emmons – Hammond organ
Joe Hall – piano
Al Jackson Jr. – drums (likely on many tracks)
Larry Finch – bass (possible on later sessions)
Additional musicians
Hand percussion and additional horns on selected tracks (uncredited).
Research indicates that Willie Mitchell used a stable Memphis studio band
which gradually evolved into the famous Hi Rhythm Section heard on
Al Green's recordings a few years later. Early Hi sessions commonly
featured combinations of:
Willie Mitchell
James Mitchell
Bobby Emmons
Joe Hall
Al Jackson Jr.
Reggie Young (on earlier Hi sessions)
Teenie Hodges (increasingly after 1966)
Leroy Hodges
Charles Hodges (beginning around 1967–68)
tracklist:
A1 Ooh Baby, You Turn Me On
Written-By – Love*, Hodges*, Thomas*, Mitchell*
2:00
A2 Soul Finger
Written-By – Cauley*, Cunningham*, Alexander*, King*, Jones*, Caldwell*
2:15
A3 Cleo's Mood
Written-By – DeWalt*, Fuqua*, Woods*
2:21
A4 Slippin' & Sliddin'
Written-By – Collins*, Bocage*, Smith*, Penniman*
1:56
A5 Soul Serenade
Written-By – Ousley*, Dixon*
2:15
A6 Willie's Mood
Written-By – Hodges*, Mitchell*
2:17
B1 Sunny
Written-By – Hebb*
2:32
B2 Pearl Time
Written-By – Williams*
2:27
B3 Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
Written-By – Brown*
2:12
B4 Respect
Written-By – Redding*
2:05
B5 Have You Ever Had The Blues
Written-By – Jennings*, Logan*, Price*
2:10
B6 Toddlin'
Written-By – Love*, Miller*, Mitchell*
2:04












