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Doug Shorts – Hot Potato (7″) [Love Touch Records LTR014]

***PRE-ORDER – Est. 6 June 2025***

Doug Shorts is back on the scene after decades away from the limelight. His band, Master Plan Inc., released two 45rpm singles in the early 80s, then quickly faded into obscurity. Original copies, rarer than hen’s teeth, will now set you back upwards of $1000 on the second-hand market. It wasn’t until he was discovered by local Chicago label, Cherries Records, that he began releasing new music again. He’s been on a steady climb ever since.

In 2019, he recorded the EP, “Casual Encounter” on Daptone Records, produced by Homer Steinweiss and Frank Dukes. It was a hit with funk fanatics and DJs alike. Doug is now back with a full-length album “Love’s Touch” featuring 10 brand new songs reminiscent of early to mid-80s R&B and Boogie. The album’s lead single “Hot Potato” is a Nigerian Afro-Boogie-inspired banger. Doug describes his love interest: “She’s a rump shaker, I knew it from the start, the kind of girl you reel in…then she’ll tear your heart apart”.

The b-side, “On Our Way To Love” is a future wedding anthem with it’s sweet lyrics: “We walk this path together, this vow we make is forever”. Doug’s falsetto weaves over a steady mid-tempo drum machine loop – a nod to MTUME’s “Juicy Fruit”. Lush Rhodes chords and chirpy synths make way for a funky slap bassline.

At age 74, Doug shows his youth, wisdom and life experience but more importantly, he shows us that he’s still got it!