A huge late-'70s hit for the Brothers Johnson, "Strawberry Letter 23" started life as a track from the author's (Shuggie Otis) 1971 Freedom Flight album. Although the Brothers' version is excellent, this early, self-produced version is superior. A combination of whimsical, psychedelic, and orchestrated soul music, it paved the way for many artists, namely Prince. In fact, the entire affair sounds like an outtake from the Purple One's Around the World in a Day. A true period piece and masterpiece.
Strawberry Letter 23
Shuggie Otis
Share on
Song Review by Matthew Greenwald
Appears On
| Year | Artist/Album | Label | Time | AllMusic Rating | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1971 | Epic | 3:57 | ||||
 |
1974 | Narada / Luaka Bop | 3:58 | ||||
 |
1998 |
Various Artists
|
Sony Music Distribution | 3:56 | |||
 |
2001 |
Various Artists
|
BBE | 3:58 | |||
 |
2002 |
Various Artists
|
Harmless | 3:59 | |||
 |
2003 | LateNightTales | 3:54 | ||||
 |
2003 | Raven | 3:57 | ||||
![Uncovered [EMI]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=QDI_nrCtAgY9hTMAI7jHbZhUoDg0hsvx4F4sL4oO-nA=&f=2) |
2003 |
Various Artists
|
Family Recordings | 3:56 | |||
 |
2005 |
Various Artists
|
Luaka Bop | 7:34 | |||
 |
2011 |
Various Artists
|
Sony Music | 3:59 | |||
 |
2011 |
Various Artists
|
Sony Music | 3:59 | |||
 |
2014 |
Various Artists
|
Legacy / Legacy Recordings | 3:58 | |||
 |
Various Artists
|
Funky Town Grooves | 4:03 |