Above, enjoy DuSable High School’s own Johnny Williams with Baby Be Mine, a classically Chicago-styled mid-tempo shuffler. A delicious record, it was recorded at Brunswick Records here in Chicago (1449 South Michigan Avenue, to be exact) for their Subsidiary label, Bashie. Get a whif of those cheering flutes on the tail end. A beast. Pictured at left, Brunswick Records, 1967-late 70s.
Brunswick was originally based in New York, but moved operations to Chicago in the mid ’60s to take advantage of a hotbed of talent that was nationally recognized. Brunswick’s Jackie Wilson (on lifetime contract to the label) immediately found success working with the Chicago operation, hitting with the 1966 classic “Whispers (Getting Louder)”.
The label that ultimately brought us the Chi-Lites, Tyrone Davis, Barbara Acklin, and more also enlisted some of the best producers/arrangers in the city: Sonny Sanders, Carl Davis, Willie Henderson, Tom Tom Washington, and later Leo Graham and James Mack (who taught Tom Tom and Willie Henderson at Crane Junior College). What they created was a sound that was a perfect hybrid of blues and soul. Just like the very best of Chicago.
darkjive.com 
November 8th, 2009 at 7:43 am
Thanx so much for featuring my video of this great tune on your blog. Johnny Williams never really go his much deserved credit for his recordings and is one of my favorite unsung heroes of Chicago soul. I am biased when it comes to classic Chicago Soul recordings because it is and will always be home.
Brunswick/Dakar/Bashie
THE SOUND OF CHICAGO!!!!!
November 8th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Thanks for featuring my vid on your blog. Johnny Williams was one of my favorite unsung heroes of Chicago Soul. I hope he’s in Soul Heaven knowing he’s finally getting his much deserved credit these days.
Brunswick/Dakar/Bashie
THE SOUND OF CHICAGO!!!
Johnny Williams
(1942-1986)
November 9th, 2009 at 11:19 am
so true, souln. Really great music. I actually spin this one at my gigs. such a groove. But this came out during the absolute zenith of Brunswick’s shuffle-n-soul. Killer. thanks for your comment!