LITTLE BEAVER

As a kid, Willie Hale earned the nickname Little Beaver from his prominent teeth; as an adult, he earned a reputation as a top guitarist from session work with Florida’s T.K. Records stable. He also cut several albums of his own and the aptly named PARTY DOWN was his second. The disc adds a touch of jazz to soul and funk grooves on such originals as “Get Into the Party Life” and the #2 Billboard R&B hit title track. Bassist Jaco Pastorius appears on one song under a pseudonym and the Steve Alaimo-produced collection also features support from T.K. labelmates Betty Wright and Latimore. Released in 1974 on the cusp of the disco boom, this solid set will help you PARTY DOWN.