Another re-issue of Willie Hutch by Soul Brother Records is the third solo album 'Ode To My Lady' of 1975, originally released on Motown Records (M6-838S1). This album reached #24 on Billboards R&B chart. On this ten tracks album Hutch change his mind again and switched back to the strings but the brass stayed also present on many tracks. This album is full of strings that sounds like the Philly records of those days in the early seventies. If you don't know 'Willie Hutch' as a Motown artist you probably think of PIR. 'Ode To My Lady' has some funky tracks but it has predominantly melodious soul tunes.

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This album featured two singles. 'Love Power' was the first release. It peaked at number eight on the Billboard R&B charts after 20 weeks. The second single release, the first track on this album, 'Party Down' is even funkier than 'Love Power' it sounds like a Ohio Players groove. This single peaked #19 on the Billboard R&B single chart.

A favorite tune is 'The Way We Were' a nice combination with brass and string sounds in combination with Hutch his great vocals make this track a masterpiece. 'Since I Found You Everything's Alright' is a slow tempo love song with full of string. Great funky guitar licks on the uptempo 'I'm Gonna Hold On' combined with the strings makes this track outstanding.

The title track 'Ode To My Lady' is a mid-tempo instrumental track where Hutch sings the vocals with his guitar. 'Just Another Day' is also an absolute killer soul tune with great guitar work. The two masterpieces on this album are 'Love Me Back' and 'You Gotta Give Love Up' full of Philly strings, synth, guitar licks with the beautiful voice of Willie Hutch himself.

Mark Berbiers