The material, ranging from the 50s and 60s, was cut live from the floor in Chicago studios with Johnson singing in the middle -- live studio recording is a first for her.The daughter of unsung soul great Syl Johnson, she was born in Harvey, Illinois and grew up listening to Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Tina Turner, the Dells, and Mavis Staples.She performed in local bands and sang in her church choir at Greater Christian Unity, and later worked in classical and gospel choirs as well as in jazz ensembles at Drake University and Illinois State University, where she majored in music.
Johnsons soulful rasp, reminiscent of old-school RB singers, set the tone for her confessional songs. Her first recordings appeared on a mid-90s album of duets with her father, but she made her proper debut with Love Hangover (1999), which featured covers of Diana Ross Love Hangover and Womack Womacks Baby Im Scared of You. She then signed with the Jive label for three albums, all of which reached the Top 20 of Billboards RBHip-Hop albums chart. On Chapter 1: Love, Pain Forgiveness (2001), Johnson confronted her romantic pitfalls and coming of age with guest appearances by Buddy Guy and R. Kelly. Between Chapter 2: The Voice (2002) and Chapter 3: The Flesh (2005), she appeared on fellow Chicago native Kanye Wests Grammy-nominated Top Ten Hot 100 hit All Falls Down. Surprisingly, sales of the latter seemingly werent increased by the singles success. Johnsons Jive era was anthologized by I Am Your Woman: The Best of Syleena Johnson (2008). Johnson went independent for Chapter 4: Labor Pains (2009) and toured with Lalah Hathaway, Indira Khan, and Lisa Simone as Daughters of Soul. After Chapter 5: Underrated (2011), supported by a deal with the Shanachie label, she co-starred in TV Ones RB Divas: Atlanta and appeared with some of her fellow reality stars on the RB Divas (2012) album. Shortly thereafter, Johnson collaborated with Musiq Soulchild and producer Kemar McGregor for 9ine (2013), a set of contemporary reggae duets. Signed to the Blakbyrd label, Johnson released Chapter 6: Couples Therapy (2014), which she worked on extensively with Pierre Medor and Kriss Johnson. Rebirth of Soul (2017) featured covers of classics selected by and recorded with her father, including Syls own Is It Because Im Black. It marked the first time shed recorded live vocals from a studio room floor with musicians. Syl produced and enlisted veteran Chicago players -- some had worked on his own catalog sessions. ![]() Love Hangover 1999 Syleena Johnson Zip Full Vision OfThe younger Johnson also has a full vision of what she wants to say, and while most of her material falls into the dark corridors of love gone wrong, the joy and defiant survivability in her inflection give everything she tackles the veneer of hope. This set collects key tracks from her linked autobiographical trio of albums from Jive Records, and includes the urban hit title track I Am Your Woman; the powerful Hit on Me, which tackles the issue of physical abuse; and a masterful cover of Al Hudsons If You Play Your Cards Right. The result is a fine introduction to an intriguing singer at the start of what looks to be a very promising career. She has also appeared on records by Kanye West, Anthony Hamilton, R. These include her father, soul singer, songwriter, and producer Syl Johnson, who penned hits for Donny Hathaway (Is It Because Im Black) and many more. Love Hangover 1999 Syleena Johnson Zip Crack Session PlayersHe produced Rebirth of Soul, chose its songs, and assembled a group of crack session players from the vintage soul era. Syl Johnson helms the guitar chair in a mighty group of veterans of the Chicago soul and blues scenes. It includes keyboardistarranger Tom Washington, Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf drummer Mo Jennings (who passed before this was released), bassist Bernard Reed (Little Richard, Chi-Lites), and saxophonist Willie Henderson (Barbara Acklin, Tyrone Davis), along with strings and backing singers.
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