Willie Mitchell, best known as the producer of Al Green’s hits in the 1970s, announced the re-launch of Waylo Records. Not quite the resurrection of Stax many had hoped for, but the 79-year-old Mitchell seems committed to Memphis singers, beginning with Waylo’s first release, Mashaa’s Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere.
Mitchell started Waylo in 1982, and released albums by Otis Clay and Ann Peebles before mothballing the venture about 20 years ago. Mashaa is a longtime Mitchell protégé, dating back to her sessions as a back-up vocalist in the glory days at Mitchell’s South Memphis recording studio.