Shuggie Otis, Me and My Woman | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

On the 1^st edition of Throwback Vibez, we recollect and reflect on the song, “Me and My Woman” performed by Shuggie Otis. 

T

he vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! On the 1^st edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶, we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Me and My Woman”, performed by 🎙 Shuggie Otis. 

Shuggie Otis is an underrated R&B musician.  However, Mr. Otis is responsible for writing and originally recording one of the best R&B hits of the 1970s, 🎵 “Strawberry Letter 23”.  “Strawberry Letter 23” appears on his 1971 album, 💿 Freedom Flight, which was released when he was only a teenager. Sure, 🎙 The Brothers Johnson recorded the ‘hit’ version after Otis, but he’s still penned it, period.  As throwback as “Strawberry Letter 23” is, I chose to focus on another gem performed by Shuggie, “Me and My Woman,” which appears on the same album.

“Me and my woman
We don’t get along
But one day at a time
... One day we’re fussing and fighting now
And the next day, we’re doing fine.”

Despite his songwriting chops, Shuggie Otis didn’t write “Me and My Woman.” Instead, the bluesy soul record was composed by 🎼✍ Gene Barge.  In Shuggie’s hands, he drops one of the funkiest recordings you’ll ever hear, period.  Sadly, so many folks have never heard this gem, which possesses an electrifying groove, killer keyboard and guitar riffs, and a kick a$$ bass line. A travesty if your ears haven’t previously heard this decadent ear candy! The cherry on top, of course, is Otis’ soulful, gritty voice, which sounds much more mature than a teenager.  ‘Course, that guitar soloing is epic too!

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Final Thoughts 💭

If you aren’t familiar with Shuggie Otis, get to know this gifted musician, period.  “Strawberry Letter 23” can be your starting point, but make sure you include “Me and My Woman” in the mix.  One listen, and you’ll be hooked! That groove!

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🎙 Shuggie Otis • 🎵 💿 Freedom Flight • 🏷 Sony • 🗓 1971
Shuggie Otis, “Me and My Woman”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 1 [📷: Brent Faulkner, cotton bro, The Musical Hype, Sony]

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