Junie* – Suzie Super Groupie

Walter ‘Junie’ Morrison released his third solo LP, Suzie Super Groupie, in 1976. A slick, smooth and soulful record, it’s a genre-melting tour de force with rich elements of proto-boogie, funk and jazz. In short, this is essential.

Now I don't want to embolden a price surge war, or ignite controversy regarding this cherished funk gem, as it has attained large shelf life among producers, musicians, DJs, and completists alike. Two years ago, specialty U.K. reissue label Ace Records thoughtfully shined a light on Junie Morrison's beloved Westbound Records output in the wake of the brief resurgence this criminally unknown/underappreciated/forgotten master garnered (thanks to Solange Knowles and Kanye) as well as his untimely death at 62. The label supervised and released the two-disc anthology, Junie - The Complete Westbound Recordings (1973-76), which collected Morrison's three lone albums on the label after breaking away from the Ohio Players and a host of other single releases/oddities. For many who have been eagerly seeking out this sought after goldmine at record fairs and online merchants alike, this compilation was a godsend because Morrison's solo catalog hasn't been shown any love in the digital age (with the exception of Ace Records' 1994 best-of compilation.)

While I'm forever grateful that this album breathes new life in the digital age, I must point out one major culprit: the original mixes of all the songs that were present on the OG 1976 pressing of this album aren't utilized/represented on the anthology. There are subtle differences in some of the musical passages, instrumentations (strings, prominent guitars, and chunky basslines), lyrics, and even the editing of certain songs. It's quite interesting to hear them in all of their iterations to say the least, but it also sparks curiosity in what caused this oversight when the anthology was being prepared. But, in whichever way you listen to this gem, it stands as the crown jewel of Junie Morrison's solo catalog.