Willie Mitchell - It's Dance Time LP

***REISSUED ON VINYL!!! ÒThis album, which was repackaged and retitled Soul Serenade a year after its original release, catches WILLIE MITCHELL in superb form, not only as an arranger but as a leader fronting a first-rate ensemble. Apart from a somewhat predictable chorus on ÔSoulfinger,Õ everything here has some subtlety in its presentationÑdetails in the arrangements that surprise on repeated listening, and a crispness in the recording (this is some of the best-sounding stereo soul music of its period) that makes the repeated listening fun. The material ranges from new Mitchell-authored instrumentals to covers of standards such as ÔSlippin' and Slidin'Õ and ÔSunnyÕ (which could've been considered for a double-A-sided single, and the latter might've just placed Mitchell onto the easy listening charts without compromising his sound; it's that good). The playing by guitarist TEENIE HODGES is worth the price of admission and gets put in the spotlight surprisingly often, considering the abundance of first-rate reed and horn talent on handÓÑBruce Eder, All Music Guide