Description

“Outlaw” is a groundbreaking album released in 1970 by American singer-songwriter Eugene McDaniels. Best known earlier for smoother pop and R&B hits like “A Hundred Pounds of Clay” (1961), McDaniels made a dramatic and powerful shift with “Outlaw,” embracing radical, socially conscious soul music with strong political undertones. “Outlaw” was McDaniels’ response to the tumultuous social and political climate of the late 1960s, particularly the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and growing Black empowerment movements. Musically, the album fuses soul, funk, folk, and rock into a raw, earthy sound that reflects both anger and hope. His lyrics are bold, direct, and sometimes confrontational — dealing with racism, injustice, and societal hypocrisy.
The production on “Outlaw” is looser and grittier than McDaniels’ earlier work. Backed by excellent session musicians (including the legendary bassist Ron Carter and guitarist Hugh McCracken), the album maintains a strong groove-driven energy throughout, while McDaniels’ expressive vocals deliver his biting messages with conviction.