MARK OF THE BEAST |

Personnel: Willie Hutch (vocals, guitar).
The gritty sound of Willie Hutch had an unmistakable silkiness, and this album brings out that distinctiveness. This album featured two singles. "Love Power" was the first release. With its progressive string and horn arrangement, Hutch, with his Sam Cooke phrasing, croons his way through this earnest number. It peaked at number eight on the Billboard R&B charts after 20 weeks. The second single was the comparable "Party Down." With the lyrical content shifting to the dance floor, Hutch's energy does not swagger. The groove on this number has some of that Ohio Players spirit. The single peaked at 19 after 15 weeks. The soulful deliveries that Hutch convey are uplifting. This album has a consistent mixture of selections, including the soul singer's rendition of the classic "The Way We Were." The title track is a mid-tempo instrumental. ~ Craig Lytle

• Released: 2011-03-29
• Format: CD
• Genre: R&B