Aht Uh Mi Hed

Shuggie Otis, born in 1957 as Johnny Otis Jr., Son of 50's RnB multiinstrumentalist Johnny Otis, was far ahead of his time. He began his recording carreer when he was just 15 years old, and in 1974, released what is considered his piece de resistance, "Inspiration Information". Featuring all self-penned, self-played (all instruments were recorded by Shuggie) compositions, this recording was the first to use an electronic beatbox as the percussion. After further recording, including some very good blues with Al Kooper, he was pretty much forgotten about for years. That all changed when Luaka Bop, David Byrne's label, re-released a compilation of tracks, from "Inspiration Information" and "Freedom Flight", in 2001.

Check out more info at this soultracks.com feature, or the brief Wiki entry. Here are, i.m.h.o., his three best tracks. Doesn't "Strawberry Letter sound like Neil Young somehow? Comment!!!:

- Aht Uh Mi Hed

- Pling!

- Strawberry Letter 23