Al Johnson (musician)
Encyclopedia
Alfred Orlando Johnson is an American R&B singer, writer, arranger and producer.
Born in Newport News, Virginia in 1948, Johnson attended Howard University
in Washington, D.C.
and while there, co-founded the soul
group, The Unifics
. The group, with Johnson as lead singer, scored three hits on the Billboard Hot 100
in 1968 and 1969 for the Kapp label. The first, "Court Of Love" climbed to #25, but reached #3 on the R&B chart. The follow-up, "The Beginning Of The End" got to #36 on the Hot 100 and #9 R&B. Two further releases in 1969 reached the R&B chart.
Johnson returned to recording in 1978 with a solo album, "Peaceful" which he co-produced, as well as arranging and co-writing, for a small label, Marina, part-owned by former singer, Lloyd Price.
In 1980, Johnson collaborated with jazz/soul producer Norman Connors
, for an album, Back for More, on Columbia Records
. This came after he had sung on Norman Connors' album, "Invitation" for Arista in 1979, singing the lead track, "Your Love".
"Back For More" peaked at #48 on the Billboard Black Albums chart. The lead single from the album, "I'm Back for More", a duet with Jean Carn, reached #26 on the R&B chart, whilst the follow-up, "I've Got My Second Wind", hit #58, both in 1980.
Around this time, Johnson was writing, arranging and also playing keyboards on recording sessions, including for the Willie Lester-Rodney Brown production team that released several successful disco/soul albums on Prelude in the early 80s, with acts like Sharon Redd, Bobby Thurston and Gayle Adams.
In the 90s, he worked with leading soul group, "The Whispers" on several albums and in 1999, released another solo album for an independent label, Clout. Johnson has since re-formed the Unifics with original group member, Tom Fauntleroy and has also been touring with a solo gospel show. The group issued a new album, "Unifics Return" in 2005.
Born in Newport News, Virginia in 1948, Johnson attended Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and while there, co-founded the soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
group, The Unifics
The Unifics
The Unifics were an American soul group from Washington, D.C..In 1966 a group of talented students at Washington D.C.'s Howard University in 1966 formed the upstart group Al & the Vikings. Consisting of singer/songwriter Al Johnson, Tom Fauntleroy, Marvin Brown, Bob Hayes, and George Roland, the...
. The group, with Johnson as lead singer, scored three hits on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in 1968 and 1969 for the Kapp label. The first, "Court Of Love" climbed to #25, but reached #3 on the R&B chart. The follow-up, "The Beginning Of The End" got to #36 on the Hot 100 and #9 R&B. Two further releases in 1969 reached the R&B chart.
Johnson returned to recording in 1978 with a solo album, "Peaceful" which he co-produced, as well as arranging and co-writing, for a small label, Marina, part-owned by former singer, Lloyd Price.
In 1980, Johnson collaborated with jazz/soul producer Norman Connors
Norman Connors
Norman Connors is an American jazz drummer, composer, arranger, producer, and headliner, who has led some influential jazz and R&B groups. He also achieved several big R&B hits of the day, especially with love ballads.-Biography:...
, for an album, Back for More, on Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. This came after he had sung on Norman Connors' album, "Invitation" for Arista in 1979, singing the lead track, "Your Love".
"Back For More" peaked at #48 on the Billboard Black Albums chart. The lead single from the album, "I'm Back for More", a duet with Jean Carn, reached #26 on the R&B chart, whilst the follow-up, "I've Got My Second Wind", hit #58, both in 1980.
Around this time, Johnson was writing, arranging and also playing keyboards on recording sessions, including for the Willie Lester-Rodney Brown production team that released several successful disco/soul albums on Prelude in the early 80s, with acts like Sharon Redd, Bobby Thurston and Gayle Adams.
In the 90s, he worked with leading soul group, "The Whispers" on several albums and in 1999, released another solo album for an independent label, Clout. Johnson has since re-formed the Unifics with original group member, Tom Fauntleroy and has also been touring with a solo gospel show. The group issued a new album, "Unifics Return" in 2005.
Discography
- Peaceful (Marina Records, 1978)
- Back for More (Columbia RecordsColumbia RecordsColumbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, 1980) - My Heart Is an Open Book (Clout Records, 1999)