John Johnson - Rise Up

Published Tuesday 4th April 2006
John Johnson - Rise Up
John Johnson - Rise Up

STYLE: R&B
RATING 6 6 6 6 6 6
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 16893-9788
LABEL: Independent
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Paul Poulton

Homespun, home-made, home cooked; a curiously engaging album. The first track "Rise Up" has the kudos of being played on Cross Rhythms radio and that's not easy to get believe me, I know from bitter experience. Short, squeezed, funky pinched notes characterise the album; I suppose odd is good these days, so it's a compliment to say this is rum. An embryonic musical form is breaking out of the limitations: a computerised cross between George Benson, The Brand New Heavies and a smattering of R&B. Though to my ears the whole thing should have more time spent on it to thicken the musical soup, it's a bit like giving the fattened calf to visitors before it's been properly fattened. There are some cool ideas and one or two good songs that have the potential to be covered by established artists. "Breathe" being the highest point of the 10 songs, it gets hold of a neat bass line, loops it and keeps on going, adds some shuffling muted wah guitar, some Stevie Wonder "Superstition"-style clavinet and captures the listener with "Just breathe on me" as the hook. John is kinda baritone but a certain lack of vocal dynamics tends to mar some of the recordings here. Most of the songs have a message to listen to, not an uninteresting one either. Pulling off a song called "My Wifey" needs a lot of street cred or it just comes across as very corny indeedy.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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