Inspiration Information / Wings of Love

Originally issued in October 1974, Inspiration Information was reissued in 2001 by David Byrne's Luaka Bop label. In 2013 it was re-released as it is here by Sony Music, with the original album and four previously unreleased bonus tracks, plus the Wings of Love collection of unreleased studio and live material. Shuggie Otis is best known for writing "Strawberry Letter 23," a 1977 hit for The Brothers Johnson. Otis' reclusive ways led him to obscurity; he was eventually rescued by continual interest from his fellow musicians and stars like Prince, Lenny Kravitz, David Byrne, and even Stereolab's Tim Gane. Otis played nearly all the instruments on the album, except for horns and various string instruments. An electronic rhythm box provides the beat for the soulful organ-and-flute tune "Aht Uh Mi Hed" and the weird "XL-30" and "Ping!" Jazzy, Latin-flavored '70s R&B flows throughout the original album, while the Wings of Love material often grows grander, as showcased on "Special," "Give Me Something Good," and the 11-minute "Wings of Love."