It's widely thought that Quincy Jones was the first black man to hold down a senior executive position in a major record company, but the truth is that the mighty Clyde Otis (he stood 6'4') beat him to it by a good few years. Perhaps best known for his long, hugely rewarding collaboration with Brook Benton, songwriter / bandleader / arranger / producer, Otis possessed perfect ears and was a wildly successful writer and producer. At the outset of his career he was active as a recording artist, and Disc 1 of this unique set presents tracks from his own LPs and singles. Disc 2 presents Otis as a songwriter, arranger and producer, for artists such as Faye Adams, The Cues, The Five Keys, Varetta Dillard, Elvis Presley, Georgia Gibbs, The Diamonds, Lavern Baker, Ruth Brown, The Del Vikings, Ben Hewitt, Ivory Joe Hunter, Jack Scott, Clyde McPhatter and many others. It featuring a handful of key hits and million sellers along with a selection of collectors' rarities.
