from THE BEST OF THE BROTHERS JOHNSON
written by Alex Weir, David Foster, Louis Johnson, George Johnson, Quincy Jones & Tom Bahler
In the seventies, The Brothers Johnson were one the leading names of the most sophisticated r&b music movement. Virtuoso Bass player, Louis Johnson and his brother, singer and guitarist George Johnson created a powerful funky machine through their connection with super-producer Quincy Jones.Their association resulted into a string of four consecutive #1 albums on the r&b charts. Those albums included monster hit jams like “I’ll Be Good To You,” “Strawberry Letter 23,” “Stomp” and “Ain’t We Funkin’ Now.” In 1978 The Brothers Johnson released an album entitled “Blam!!.” Again produced by Jones, “Blam!!” saw David Foster among the A-list players appearing on the album. This #1 album marked the first collaboration ever between the up’n’coming Canadian musician and the legendary music-maker. Foster played synth and electric piano on the album as well as co-writing a couple of songs. We already reviewed the smooth ballad, “So Won’t You Stay” in the past and this time around we focus our attention on the smokin’ title track. “Blam!!” is a wonderful funky/dance jam, co-written by Foster with Q and the Brothers Johnson. The arrangement is pretty typical of Jones’ style of the era with a gritty beat embellished by synths, jazzy horns and smooth vocals. This track and the whole album demonstrate that funky music, into Jones’ capable hands, can be raw and sophisticated at the same time. In 1999, Spectrum Music, has released a collection entitled, “The Best Of The Brothers Johnson” that presents the song “Blam!!” as well as all the other hits of this talented r&b duo. It really makes for a fantastic listen for those who can’t get enough of the best sophisti-funk of the seventies.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/blam.mp3|titles=Blam|artists=Brothers Johnson]
Lead Vocals & Guitar: George Johnson
Bass & Backing Vocals: Louis Johnson
Drums: Harvey Mason
Rhythm Guitar & Backing Vocals: Alex Weir
Synthesizer & Electric Piano: David Foster
Electric Piano: Richard Tee
Synthesizer Programming: Steve Porcaro
Percussion: Eddie “Bongo” Brown
Trumpet & Flugelhorn: Jerry Hey & Gary Grant
Saxophone: Kim Hutchcroft
Trombone: William Reichenbach
Backing Vocals: Tom Bahler, Patti Austin, Gwen Guthrie, Richard Heat, Vivian Cherry, William Eaton etc.
Horns Arranged by Jerry Hey, Quincy Jones & Tom Bahler
Produced by Quincy Jones
Associated Producer: Tom Bahler
Lyrics
no lyrics