Closer To The Source
Leroy Hutson
- LP
- Label
- Acid Jazz, [pias], Triumph Records
One of the most underrated soul producers of the '70s, multi-talented
producer/singer/songwriter/instrumentalist Leroy Hutson began his career
in various vocal groups around his hometown of Newark, NJ, in the '60s,
but saw his early success as a co-writer for Howard University roommate
Donny Hathaway's 1970 hit single "The Ghetto." Hutson would later
replace Curtis Mayfield in 1971 as the lead singer in the Impressions
and stayed with them until 1973, when he followed in Mayfield's
footsteps and launched his own solo career. His smooth, imaginative
productions set the bar very high for everyone at the label (including
its owner) to follow suit. Although his lyrics were not as politically
fueled as Mayfield's, Hutson's love-inspired songs were responsible for a
string of mid-'70s classics for which he and Curtom are best known.
Closer to the Source is one of Leroy Hutson's masterpieces, it's among the coolest urban Soul records ever to be recorded in Chicago.