ANGELA JOHNSON, GOT TO LET IT GO, Angela Johnson: A One-Woman Soul Band, Purpose Records
ANGELA JOHNSON, GOT TO LET IT GO, Angela Johnson: A One-Woman Soul Band, Purpose Records
ANGELA JOHNSON @ SOUL-PATROL
It is with a great deal of pleasure that we are taking this oppurtunity to introduce you to….Angela Johnson. My hope is that you will allow me to do so at this time, by reading these articles about Angela Johnson. As you will read as you scroll down further in this newsletter, Soul-Patrol isn’t the only entity getting behind Angela Johnson. You will read endorsements from many other online/offline soul music publications, Billboard Magazine and even the legendary Al Green.
–Bob Davis
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Concert Review: Angela Johnson @ Blue Note NYC (w/Marlon Saunders & Gordon Chambers) (11/2006)
Angela is a female given name. It is derived from the Greek word ángelos (a??e???), meaning "messenger", or "nice person".
That is an apt description; Angela Johnson is one of my favorite performers and she’s an even nicer person. She will go down in the history of Soul-Patrol as being the very first female artist to have multiple albums featured on the site in the same year. However I need to stop before I start writing a profile. I’ll do that at some point in the future, but I just wanted to give yall an idea about just how strongly I feel about her, not only as a performer, but as a person.
New York City is a tough place. The Blue Note, located in the heart of Greenwich Village in the shadows of the not so long gone twin towers, is one of the most famous nightclubs in the world. It’s a place that I used to stand outside of when I was a teenager, unable to afford the cover charge, simply to catch a few seconds of Nancy Wilson, Billy Eckstein, Carmen McCrae and others performing when the bouncer would open the door for people who actually had enough money to go inside.
Watching Angela Johnson last night, in complete command of her artistry, her audience and her self made me think about all of the legendary artists who had performed on that very same stage. Angela played the keyboard, sang and interacted with the audience effortlessly. The crowd composed mostly of Blue Note regulars was clearly entertained and to me that is the ultimate compliment from a tough NYC crowd to Angela Johnson. In all she performed a 17 song set of both covers and original songs from her two solo albums as well as from her Cooly’s Hot Box project. At various points during the show both Marlon Saunders and Gordon Chambers joined Angela on stage for duets
The last time I saw Angela Johnson perform live it was on a bill with Marlon Saunders, together they did what was possibly the best show that I saw in 2005. Last night at the Blue Note in NYC I witnessed a powerful musical force contained within a person who carries superstar talent who carries it all in perfect balance. As strong as her performance was in 2005, this show at the Blue Note on a cold November evening, in the wee hours of the morning was even better.
Back in the day we used to have female performers who could do it all. Sing, dance and give you a total performance that spoke volumes about them as people. In fact we were so comfortable in watching artists like Marilyn McCoo, Dionne Warwick and others perform on TV that we actually thought of them as friends.
Angela Johnson has grown into such a performer. This is something that you can’t see, hear or feel from any of her excellent albums. It can only be witnessed live and I feel fortunate indeed to have been able to experience for my self. Clear evidence of this growth was obvious to me from the moment Angela Johnson hit the stage with a cover version of the Prince classic "I Wanna Be Your Lover". It’s a song we all know so well that Angela was able to immediately win the crowd over. The mood of the crowd changed from tense to comfortable as Angela eased into the song with the comfort of last year’s mittens.
For me the highlights of the show were: Angela’s vocal/keyboard improvisations alone and with Marlon & Gordon and of course her stank nasty cover version of the Pointer Sisters "Yes We Can Can". In short Angela Johnson is da bomb.
As I walked back to my car after show amid the eerily silent Greenwich Village streets, interrupted only by the sounds of passing newspaper and milk delivery trucks I kept thinking to myself
What we really need is an "old school battle of the bands" between Angela Johnson and Alicia Keys, so Angela Johnson could kick Alicia Keyes ass…
–Bob Davis
Concert Review: Angela Johnson @ Cutting Room (10/2005)
Well, Well, Well – you know the saying "When you’re slow you blow!" Well, y’all BLEW IT!!!
Next up Angela Johnson. For me, she was the surprise of the night! See, I really did not like Angela’s first cd – at all – and I wasn’t really looking forward to seeing her. But I went to church and was saved (lol). Seriously, I was converted!! Angela got on the stage and tore it up!! She had the whole place jumping. I have no idea what happened between her first and second cd, but Angela is a very talented woman with a great voice who is in love. In love with her music, her man, her life. Singer, songwriter, keyboards (one of a few instruments that she plays), producer. She just seems so very confident and happy right now and it shows through her performance and her new cd. Her song list – except for the covers – were all written by Angela:
Anything
Some Kinda Wonderful
On My Way
No Better Love
Let’s Get Together
You’re Here With Me
Early Bird
I’ll Always
Is It Still Good To You (duet with Marlon Saunders)
All I Need
Funkin’ For Jamaica
Whatever It Takes
Rock Steady
Rescue Me
Every single song was fantastic!. But, my favorites were "All I Need" – she made you want to go home and sing it to your man! And her covers of "Funkin for Jamaica" and "Rock Steady" were the bomb!! And the backup singers were awesome!! Angela is on the rise and you need to look out!
I didn’t get a chance to meet Angela and apologize, but I apologized to her manager, George Littlejohn and promised to sing Angela’s praises to everybody I know! So run out and buy Angela Johnson’s " Got To Let it Go" cd and don’t you DARE miss her live show!
Cheryl Y. Russell
New York Coordinator
Biography: Angela Johnson
Producer, singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Angela Johnson, is a bad bad girl. Perhaps not since the heyday of Patrice Rushen and Angela Winbush has a young (female) soul musician displayed so much ability. – (Brett Collins – TOLEDO CITY PAPER)
If Angela Johnson were a man, she’d probably be one of the most revered producer/songwriters in today’s market place. As it is, men still largely dominate the music industry; and though folks would like to profess that gender is irrelevant, the truth is, it isn’t. Angela Johnson is the truth.
Born and raised in Utica New York, Angela has been making music practically her whole life. A musical child prodigy, Angela began playing the piano by ear at the tender age of four. At age 9 she was introduced to the violin. Like many of her contemporaries, Angela received most of her musical experience in the church, where as a teenager she served as church organist and choir director. Angela later applied these experiences to gain admission to the State University Of N.Y. at Purchase as a violin major. While attending S.U.N.Y., Angela developed an ear for studio production, and discovered her talent as a performance artist. Her underlying love for R&B and Soul, ultimately lead Angela to join together with fellow S.U.N.Y. student Christian Urich (Tortured Soul) to form the legendary R&B band, Cooly’s Hot Box. Cooly’s has been together for over a decade now, and they’ve recorded and released several dance floor classics ("What A Surprise," "Make Me Happy," "We Don’t Have To Be Alone") as well as two albums, "Take It" (2002 Higher Octave/Virgin), "Don’t Be Afraid, Get On" (2004 Purpose).
Angela’s multifaceted talent as producer/songwriter/singer has allowed her to collaborate with such notable artist as Maysa Leak "All Day Long" (writer), Rahsaan Patterson "Dream Flight" (producer/co-writer), Gordon Chambers "Get Away" (producer/co-writer), Laurnea "No Shame" (producer/co-writer), Reel People "Can’t Stop" (vocalist/co-writer), Monét "Wanna Kiss You" (producer/co-writer) and Seek "Journey Into Day" (co-writer) to name a few. In 2001 Angela wrote and produced the top ten hit "Angel" for Japanese R&B superstar, Double, selling more than 500,000 copies. Angela has also produced remixes for Jimmy Sommers feat. Macy Gray ("Love life") and Donnie ("Cloud 9") with DJ Spinna.
Angela’s music has been prominently featured on UPN’s "Kevin Hill" (Taye Diggs), FX’s "The Shield" (Michael Chiklis) and The WB’s "Roswell." In April 2005 SBC Global.net (AT&T/Cingular) launched a Television Ad campaign for there DSL service, that features Angela Johnson and Cooly’s hot-box as the centerpiece of the commercial, complete with visual clips of the band performing the song, "Lose Your Friends."
"Got To Let It Go" is the highly anticipated follow up to Angela’s critically acclaimed solo debut CD "They Don’t Know," This twelve track journey through Angela’s childhood musical influences, is destined to become a classic. For someone so incredibly self-contained, Angela wields an easy hand with her tracks, relying on smart lyrics and arrangements to get her point across. She never seems to be showing off. She is sincere and confident enough to let her music speak for itself without being trendy.
No question, Angela owes a debt to such ’70’s soul elements as solid melodies, heartfelt vocals, ditto for ’80’s technology like drum and keyboard programming, used liberally throughout the CD.
Angela’s musical craft emanates and expresses the true musicianship that is lacking so often these days from some of her "pseudo soul" commercial brothers and sisters. Make no mistake; Angela Johnson is the real deal!
Contact info:
www.angelajohnson.comwww.purposerecords.com
Label : george @purpose records .com 718-622-6203
Management : 973-688-8129
CD Review: Angela Johnson/Got To Let It Go (Purpose Records)
Singer/ Songwriter/Producer Angela Johnson has a new recording titled GOT TO LET IT GO on Purpose Records (www.purposerecords.com). It is a fantastic CD with many outstanding cuts. Angela is known for her work with Cooly’s HotBox, Donnie, DJ Spinna, Japanese R&B artist Double, and numerous others. She exhibits her own unique style and yet those great artists who have come before Angela inspire her songwriting and production talents.
Self taught from the age of four, Angela shows us true musicianship that is lacking from some of her "pseudo soul" commercial brothers and sisters. In other words folks the sister is badd and is a musical force to be reckoned with!
The CD gets off to a great start with the bouncy funk of On My Way’ with horn arrangements by Jacques Schwartz-Bart. Angela produces all tunes on the session and she also composed all the music and lyrics.
A little birdie told me in a recent conversation that Angela loves Al Green.
The tune "I’ll Always" is reminiscent of one of those Hi Record sessions with those horns, strings, and vocal harmonies. It’s one of my favorite cuts on the CD.
I like percussion too. Especially when it is up front in the mix. Ernesto Abreu steps forward with some fine bongo work on "All I Need" and Lisala Beatty joins Angela on background vocals.
We go to Slo-jam heaven on the tune Let’s Get Together as Jeremy James is featured with Angela (Ms. Johnson if you please) and also on "Tell Me" another great Slo-jam. Y’all can put these two on your seduction mix-tape.
Fellow Purpose recording artist Monet steps in on "You’re Here With Me" bringing a jazzy touch on board and the tune "Early Bird" has the feel and sound of one of those 70’s Roy Ayers productions, especially with the addition of Tricia Angus on vocals. Angela has a very keen sense of musical history.
Rounding out my favorite cuts are "Home Away From Home" and "Whatever It
Takes". As the final tune on the CD, "Whatever" leaves us with a message to be positive and do whatever it takes to be happy. I’ll tell you what this CD makes me extremely happy and I highly recommend it. It’s a fine release by a very talented musician. Look for it at your local wreckastow or go online at
www.purposerecords.com or www.angelajohnson.com
Kevin Amos tha Funkoverlord
Liner Notes: Angela Johnson – "Got To Let It Go"
1. On My Way: Produced by Angela Johnson.
Music and Lyrics Composed by Angela Johnson.
Published by Jobo Music (ASCAP), Administered by The Independent Music Group. All Vocals, Keys and Drum Programming by Angela Johnson. Horn Arrangement, Sax and Flute by Jacques Schwarz-Bart. Trumpet by Matt Shulman.
2. Anything: Produced by Angela Johnson.
Music and Lyrics Composed by Angela Johnson.
Published by Jobo Music (ASCAP), Administered by The Independent Music Group. Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Drum Programming and String Arrangement by Angela Johnson. Background Vocals by Angela Johnson and Tricia Angus. Violin by Pauline Kim. Bass by Justin Wallace.
3. I’ll Always: Produced by Angela Johnson.
Music and Lyrics Composed by Angela Johnson.
Published by Jobo Music (ASCAP), Administered by The Independent Music Group. Lead Vocals and Keyboards by Angela Johnson. Drums by Trevor Holder. Bass by Justin Wallace. Background Vocals by Angela Johnson, Tricia Angus and Lisala Beatty. Horns and Strings Arranged by Angela Johnson. Sax by Jacques Schwarz-Bart. Trumpet by Matt Schulman. Violin by Pauline Kim.
4. Got To Let It Go: Produced by Angela Johnson.
Music and Lyrics Composed by Angela Johnson.
Published by Jobo Music (ASCAP), Administered by The Independent Music Group. All Vocals, Instruments and Drum Programming, Angela Johnson.
5. All I Need
Produced by Angela Johnson.
Music and Lyrics Composed by Angela Johnson.
Published by Jobo Music (ASCAP), Administered by The Independent Music Group. Lead Vocals, Keyboards and Drum Programming, Angela Johnson. Background Vocals by Angela Johnson and Lisala Beatty. Bongos by Ernesto Abreu. Guitar by Jeremy James.
6. Let’s Get Together (Featuring Jeremy James): Produced by Angela Johnson.
Music and Lyrics Composed by Angela Johnson.
Published by Jobo Music (ASCAP), Administered by The Independent Music Group. Lead Vocals by Angela Johnson and Jeremy James. Keyboards, String Arrangement and Additional Violin by Angela Johnson. Drums by Trevor Holder. Bass by Justin Wallace. Background Vocals by Angela Johnson, Jeremy James, Tricia Angus and Lisala Beatty. Violin by Pauline Kim.
7. You’re Here With Me: Produced by Angela Johnson.
Music and Lyrics Composed by Angela Johnson.
Published by Jobo Music (ASCAP), Administered by The Independent Music Group. Lead Vocals, Keyboards and Drum Programming by Angela Johnson. Background Vocals by Angela Johnson and Monét. Flute by Monét. Congas and Triangle by Ernesto Abreu.
8. Early Bird (Featuring Tricia Angus): Produced by Angela Johnson.
Music and Lyrics Composed by Angela Johnson.
Published by Jobo Music (ASCAP), Administered by The Independent Music Group. Lead Vocals by Tricia Angus. Background Vocals by Angela Johnson and Tricia Angus. Keyboards, Drum Programming and String Arrangement by Angela Johnson. Horn Arrangement, Sax and Flute by Jacques Schwarz-Bart. Trumpet by Matt Shulman. Violin by Pauline Kim. Congas and Triangle by Ernesto Abreu. Bass by Justin Wallace. Guitar by Jeremy James.
9. Tell Me: Produced by Angela Johnson.
Music and Lyrics Composed by Angela Johnson.
Published by Jobo Music (ASCAP), Administered by The Independent Music Group. Lead Vocals and Keyboards by Angela Johnson. Drums by Trevor Holder. Bass by Justin Wallace. Background Vocals by Tricia Angus and Lisala Beatty. Guitar by Jeremy James.
10. Where’s The Love?: Produced by Angela Johnson.
Music and Lyrics Composed by Angela Johnson.
Published by Jobo Music (ASCAP), Administered by The Independent Music Group. All Vocals, Keyboards and Drum Programming by Angela Johnson. Horn Arrangement and Sax by Jacques Schwarz-Bart. Trumpet by Matt Shulman. Djembe by Ernesto Abreu. Guitar by Jeremy James.
11. Home Away From Home: Produced by Angela Johnson.
Music and Lyrics Composed by Angela Johnson.
Published by Jobo Music (ASCAP), Administered by The Independent Music Group. All Vocals, Keyboards, Drum Programming and String Arrangement by Angela Johnson. Violin by Pauline Kim. Bass by Justin Wallace.
12. Whatever It Takes: Produced by Angela Johnson
Music Composed by Angela Johnson, Trevor Holder and Justin Wallace.
Lyrics Composed by Angela Johnson. Published by Jobo Music (ASCAP), Administered by The Independent Music Group. All Vocals and Keyboards by Angela Johnson. Drums by Trevor Holder. Bass by Justin Wallace. Horn Arrangement and Sax by Jacques Schwarz-Bart. Trumpet by Matt Shulman. Bongos and Timbales by Ernesto Abreu.
–Bob Davis
earthjuice@prodigy.net
Angela Johnson: A One-Woman Soul Band
Rashod D. Ollison
Music Notes
June 30, 2005
IF YOU’RE hip to today’s underground soul movement, then you probably already know about Angela Johnson either through her own work or through her collaborations with Christian Urich, her partner in the dance-R&B duo Cooly’s Hot Box .
She’s fierce. Born and raised in Utica, N.Y., Johnson arranges, produces, and plays keyboards, the violin. And she writes the songs she sings so urgently. Hers is a clear, strong voice, reminiscent of a young Jean Carne — that swoops, plunges and soars. But it never feels as if Johnson is showing off, like she’s on American Idol or something.
Her new album, her second release on the independent Purpose label, is Got To Let It Go, in stores this month. It’s a grand leap forward from her first solo album, 2002’s slightly hesitant They Don’t Know.
Of course, I tell her this when I call her one bright morning at her Newark, N.J., home. Her speaking voice sweet and inviting, Johnson is gracious on the phone.
"Well, you know this album is more R&B-oriented," she says. "The first was more acid jazz and ballads. This is more uplifting and more about my R&B roots. I wanted to stay true to what I do live."
The easy melodies throughout the record recall the ’70s soul Johnson grew up on: Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack. But the uncluttered arrangements of programmed drums and keyboards bring to mind the synthesized sounds of early ’80s R&B. Johnson warms the digital noise and hard beats with live percussion and horns, layering the mix with her multitracked vocals. She sounds like a one-woman EnVogue on "On My Way." Another highlight is "All I Need," a bubbling track with an odd, undulating synth keyboard line.
"That’s a song you would probably hear on a Cooly’s Hot Box album," says the former violin major at the State University of New York at Purchase. "The song started as a joke. I thought I would give it to another artist. But it fits."
Hate to admit it, but if Johnson were a man, she’d probably be more well known and revered. The artist is one of few black women in the business (other than perhaps Missy Elliott) who’s truly doing it for herself, directing her own musical path. Betty Wright, Angela Winbush and Patrice Rushen did it back in the ’70s and ’80s — sang, wrote, played on and produced their own records as well as some for others. In the ’80s, Wright even formed her own label, Ms. B.
Records, through which she continues to release overlooked albums. Although the sistas have earned a measure of r-e-s-p-e-c-t over the years, they never really have garnered the commercial and critical attention they deserve. Rushen, a multi-instrumentalist with firm
roots in jazz and R&B who’s best-known for the 1982 dance classic "Forget Me Nots," is one of Johnson’s main influences.
"I’m pretty much following her lead," she says. "She laid it down being a multi-instrumentalist. I hope I can add to what she’s done."
Although Johnson has yet to break in the United States, she regularly tours Japan and London, where she’s heard regularly played on the radio.
"It’s warming up a little here," says the performer, who has a modest cult audience along the East Coast. "It’s a shame I have to go so many thousands of miles away to get recognition. The UK started early to bring the underground artists to the mainstream over there. Over here, I hear my music on college stations, and I’m grateful. But it reminds me that I have more work to do to get my work out there."
I doubt Got to Let It Go will change her fortunes. It isn’t a masterpiece; it lags a bit in the middle. But the CD is still a solid collection of focused, thoughtfully executed songs dealing mostly with matters of the heart. Johnson’s breezy, jazz-inflected music seems to reflect a serene, centered woman.
"My husband [Russell Johnson] is also my manager and best friend. We’ve been married for 12 years," the artist says. You feel her smiling over the phone. "My daughter, Maysa Elon, was born last January. She keeps me working. I have my music and I’m able to make a living. I know
I’m blessed."
Copyright (c) 2005, The Baltimore Sun
Link to the article:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-li.popcol30jun30,1,1230471.column?coll=bal-live
