NEW YORK (www.sam-johnson.net/) Sam Johnson's first release is titled
Rhythm'n'Roll, emphasizing the CD's musical romp across various styles
of R&B and rock. Imagine Outkast's Andre 3000, R. Kelly, Charlie
Pride and Lenny Kravitz all on one CD, and you might approach Rhythm
'n' Roll. Unafraid to take risks, Sam creates innovative combinations
of urban, rock and even country styles.
Sam decribes himself as
an urban, rock and a little country artist. In the age of mp3s, where
people mix all kinds of music, this CD has songs for almost any mood
you're in. It's the first CD made for the mp3 enthusiast. The CD opens
with "Just Before I Fell In Love", a smooth R&B song that addresses
the dilemma of choosing between love or musical fame.
Continuing
in the R&B vein, the "Rhythm" in the Rhythm'n'Roll title we hear is
"Have To Love You", a pop hip-hop song, perhaps indicating that the
singer's choice is love. The tempo slows down for the adult
comtemporary "So Far From Heaven", which has the lovers parting before
ultimately reconciling. Picking up the pace again is the extended dance
mix, a horn-laced, world music flavored "Vitamin U," which contains the
CD's most effective hook, "I need some Vitamin U...Ah yeah!"
To
the party is added "Get The Funk Out of D.C.", more dance music with
funk and techno elements and a vocal that's halfway between singing and
rap. Next is "The Suburbs," a full-fledged rap where Sam represents his
rural roots by rapping "I'm not from the hood, I'm from the woods," and
incorporates slide guitar and fiddle over a hip-hop beat ala Bubba
Sparxxx' recent Timbaland collaboration. It's a short step into
full-blown new country with "Happy Being Bored," emulating Trace Adkins
or Kenny Chesney.
Just when you think a rousing hoe-down is
coming, the rock'n'roll portion of Rhythm'n'Roll begins. "Moving
Sidewalk" is Police meets U2 in a song with the message "if you stand
still, you're moving anyway" because life is like a moving sidewalk, so
intone the heavily effected lead and harmony vocals.
"Little
Pink Book" is a cynical look at love, with the male revelling about
being in his woman's little pink book while invoking a modern
rockabilly sound reminiscent of Brian Setzer's Stray Cats. A trip to
island revery reveals "The Only Way," a reggae-inflected, rollicking
tune reiterating the uncertainty of love. Next, a stab at modern,
alternative rock with a earth song - like message yields "As Far As the
Eye Can See."
The CD ends with "Crunk Funk (Aw, Girl)" an
ambitious attempt at combining L'il Jon's dirty South crunk sound with
D.C's homegrown go-go flavorings, and street slang that even pays
musical homage to Duke Ellington. Whew!
Vocally, Sam reminds
one of David Byrne (Talking Heads) in his melodic sense and playful
quirkiness. There is satire ("I'm in her little pink book..."),
heartfelt love ("Just Before I Fell In Love", "Have to Love You",
"Vitamin U") and lots of humor ("get the funk out of D.C., and into
your part of the country") in the lyrics.
What's amazing is two
people produced most of the music on the CD. All songs except one are
written by Sam Johnson, who sings them all. John Krauss is an
accomplished guitartist, taking us through all of the genres with
aplomb. All songs are arranged and performed with John Krauss,
co-producer, co-mixer, and engineer. Because of this duo there is
consistency in the inconsistency from genre to genre. Add the horns by
Sergey Yershov on "Vitamin U," and acoustic guitar by writer Peter
Doyle on "The Only Way" and co-writer of "As Far As The Eye Can See,"
and you've met all of the players.
