Willie Hutch
Willie Hutch was a prolific singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer known for his Motown work and blaxploitation film soundtracks. Born Willie McKinley Hutchinson on December 6, 1944, he rose from high school choral groups to a major music career before his death on September 19, 2005.
Hutch grew up primarily in Dallas, Texas, after being born in Los Angeles, joining the high school group The Ambassadors as a teen. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, he served two years in the U.S. Marines, then moved to Los Angeles to pursue music.
He debuted with the 1964 single "Love Has Put Me Down" and wrote early songs for the 5th Dimension, including "I'll Be Lovin' You Forever". In 1970, he penned lyrics for the Jackson 5's massive #1 hit "I'll Be There," leading to a Motown contract as staff writer and producer.
At Motown from 1971 to 1994, Hutch worked with stars like Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, and the Jackson 5, writing hits such as "Never Can Say Goodbye". He released six solo albums from 1973-1977, including Soul Portrait (1969, RCA) and Havin' a House Party (#26 R&B), with "Love Power" reaching #41 on the Hot 100.
Hutch composed full scores for blaxploitation classics like The Mack (1973) featuring "Theme of the Mack" and "I Choose You," and Foxy Brown (1974) with tracks like "Chase". These projects showcased his funk and soul production skills, peaking at #17 and #114 on R&B and pop charts respectively.
He continued as a recording artist until 2005, blending soul, funk, and disco across decades. Hutch died at age 60 in Dallas from emphysema-related causes.
Concert In Blues
Written-By – Frank Hutch
3:02
A2 I Finally Made The Headlines
Written-By – J. W. Alexander, J. Anderson
3:24
A3 Baby Come Home
Written-By – Willie Hutch
3:53
A4 Stormy Weather
Written-By – H. Arlen, T. Koehler
4:27
A5 I Wish You Love
Written-By – A. Beach, C. Trenet
4:50
B1 Come On Let's Do The Thang
Written-By – Willie Hutch
4:12
B2 Don't Let A Little Money Keep You Acting Funny
Written-By – Willie Hutch
4:58
B3 Stormy Monday
Written-By – T-Bone Walker
4:36
B4 Precious Pearl
Written-By – Willie Hutch
3:44
B5 Shake, Rattle And Roll
Written-By – C. Calhoun
4:16
Label: Motown – M6-854S1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul, Blues
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
Fully Exposed
Written-By – Arthur Ross, Leon Ware
4:35
A2 Can't Get Ready For Losing You
Written-By – Richard Hutch, Willie Hutch
5:51
A3 I Just Wanted To Make Her Happy
Written-By – Willie Hutch
4:25
A4 California My Way
Written-By – Willie Hutch
7:30
B1 Tell Me Why Has Our Love Turned Cold
Written-By – Willie Hutch
4:08
B2 Sunshine Lady
Written-By – Willie Hutch
3:56
B3 I'll Be There
Written-By – Berry Gordy, Bob West, Hal Davis, Willie Hutch
5:04
B4 If You Ain't Got No Money (You Can't Get No Honey)
Written-By – Willie Hutch
5:04
B5 Ain't Nothing Like Togetherness
Written-By – Willie Hutch
4:56
Label: Motown – M 784V1-DJ
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Soul
The Mack
A2 Theme Of The Mack 5:36
A3 I Choose You 3:42
A4 Mack's Stroll / The Getaway (Chase Scene) 3:08
B1 Slick 3:36
B2 Mack Man (Got To Get Over) 5:10
B3 Mother's Theme (Mama) 3:56
B4 Now That It's All Over 4:31
B5 Brother's Gonna Work It Out 4:46
Written by Willie Hutch
Label: Motown – M 766L
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
Willie Hutch's The Mack soundtrack is a quintessential 1970s blaxploitation album, celebrated for its iconic funk grooves like "Brother's Gonna Work It Out" and "Slick," rich brass, sweeping strings, and emotive vocals that capture the film's gritty yet soulful narrative, standing as a landmark in funk and soul music that remains highly regarded for its timeless production and enduring appeal.
Features classic funk anthems "Brother's Gonna Work It Out" and the title track "The Mack," alongside memorable ballads like "I Choose You" and "Kelly Green".
Considered among the best soundtracks of the era, alongside Curtis Mayfield's Superfly, it perfectly sets the mood for the film's themes of street life and hustling.
Showcases Hutch's signature blend of gritty funk, smooth soul, and lush orchestration, often compared to the sounds of Motown's late 70s output.
Critics praise the album for its lush, melodic arrangements, featuring an 18-piece string ensemble and a powerful brass section. It is noted for a "warm" and "playful" vibe that effectively captures the film's atmosphere.
While perhaps not a massive hit upon release, the album's quality and influential tracks have cemented its status as a beloved classic, frequently sampled and praised decades later.
Reviewers highlight its perfect balance of danceable funk and soulful depth, noting its compelling atmosphere. It's seen as a masterclass in film scoring for the genre, with strong songwriting and Hutch's distinctive vocal delivery.
Fans continue to praise its timeless quality, often calling it a "must-buy" for soul and funk enthusiasts. The album remains a "sample goldmine" for modern producers and is highly recommended for fans of deep soul and orchestral funk.
The Mark Of The Beast
A2 The Mark Of The Beast 7:42
A3 Try It You"ll Like It 3:43
A4 Life's No Fun Living In The Ghetto 4:28
B1 I'm Gonna Stay 4:03
B2 Woman You Touched Me 4:30
B3 Do The Thing That's Best For You 3:28
B4 Don't You Let Nobody Tell You How To Do Your Thing 4:50
B5 (I Wanted To Be A Rock & Roll Star)
Woman I Still Got Loving You On My Mind 6:05
Written-By – Kathy Wakefield (tracks: A4), Willie Hutch
Label: Motown – M6-815S1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk