Legendary R&B producer relaunches long-dormant label

By Gail Mitchell

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Neither age (a youthful 79, thank you) nor health setbacks (cataract surgery a couple of days before this interview took place) can keep a good music man down. Just ask Willie Mitchell.

He's the same Willie Mitchell who wrote and produced Al Green's 1972 hit "Let's Stay Together" and went on to produce six more No. 1 R&B hits, an accomplishment shared by such illustrious colleagues as Marvin Gaye, Berry Gordy Jr. and Barry White.

Mitchell's latest project is the relaunch of his Waylo Records label. Having secured distribution through Select-O-Hits, Mitchell is busy getting the word out about the label's first release, "Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere."

The Southern soul album marks the debut solo project for singer-songwriter Mashaa (pronounced "ma-shaw"). Discovered as a teen by Stax Records co-founder Estelle Axton, Mashaa (born Erma Shaw) segues from a background-vocalist career that lists gigs with B.B. King, Michael McDonald and Otis Rush (on Rush's 1998 Grammy Award-winning album "Any Place I'm Going").

Mitchell, who produced the album, also co-wrote several tracks with Mashaa. Their relationship dates back to when Mashaa was part of the session crew at Mitchell's legendary Royal Recording Studios in Memphis.

"She's been working around the studio with me for a long time," Mitchell said while recuperating at home. "One day we wrote a song called 'The Reason' (featured on Mashaa's album) and decided, 'We're going to put out a record."'

SEVEN-YEAR RUN

Waylo -- which is derived from the names of Mitchell's two daughters and grandchildren -- was established in 1982. The label's most recognizable artist was singer Otis Clay. But Mitchell's busy production and recording schedules as the president of Hi Records caused him to shutter Waylo after seven years.