Jan Johnston
Encyclopedia
Jan Johnston is an English
professional singer, best known for collaborating with some of the world's top trance music
DJs
.
as part of the pop duo JJ, which gained some recognition while touring the UK
.
However, when the band project failed she continued as a solo artist; signing to A&M Records
. In the mid 1990s she came to the attention of trance producer
, Brian Transeau, when he purchased one of her singles from a bargain bin in Manchester. Impressed by her vocals, he decided to collaborate with her recording
the track "Remember."
Following this, Johnston was in demand to vocal for many other trance tracks, notably for Alan Bremmer and Anthony Pappa
's "Freefall" project. Upon being given the instrumental, Jan came up with the lyrics resulting in "Skydive (I Feel Wonderful)" which despite being a club anthem, never translated to a commercial hit, finally hitting the top 40 at #35 on its third release in 2001. Paul Oakenfold
signed her to his Perfecto Records
label in 1999 to record an album. The resulting album 'Emerging' was delayed numerous times, with her first Perfecto release being a track she recorded with BT years earlier entitled "Flesh", rather than an actual track from the album, which reached #36 in the charts. The original version of "Flesh" has never been released, only remixes. A cover of The Carpenters
' song, "Superstar
", was lined up to be the album's first single, with remixes produced by Todd Terry and Bill Hammel, but would ultimately go on to be unreleased. Only one track from 'Emerging' was released as a single; "Silent Words" in 2001, with the album ultimately being unreleased.
Remixes of one of the album tracks, "As The Cracks Appear", emerged on a Perfecto promo release, as did a remix of "Superstar", and a remix of the album track "Unafraid", appeared on the soundtrack
to the film
, Swordfish
.
Following the failure of the 'Emerging' project, Johnston continued to write and record with trance producers, contributing five tracks to Paul van Dyk
's Grammy Award
nominated, Reflections album, amongst other projects.
In 2008, new solo tracks by Johnston began to emerge, with two of them "Sleeping Satellite" and "Obsession", released digitally in 2009 by Perfecto.
Other unreleased solo works:
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
professional singer, best known for collaborating with some of the world's top trance music
Trance music
Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that developed in the 1990s.:251 It is generally characterized by a tempo of between 125 and 150 bpm,:252 repeating melodic synthesizer phrases, and a musical form that builds up and breaks down throughout a track...
DJs
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
.
Career
In the early 1990s she was signed to Columbia RecordsColumbia 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...
as part of the pop duo JJ, which gained some recognition while touring the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
However, when the band project failed she continued as a solo artist; signing to A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
. In the mid 1990s she came to the attention of trance producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, Brian Transeau, when he purchased one of her singles from a bargain bin in Manchester. Impressed by her vocals, he decided to collaborate with her recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
the track "Remember."
Following this, Johnston was in demand to vocal for many other trance tracks, notably for Alan Bremmer and Anthony Pappa
Anthony Pappa
Anthony Pappa is a DJ from Melbourne, Australia. After meeting Sasha and John Digweed during an Australian tour, he decided to move to Great Britain...
's "Freefall" project. Upon being given the instrumental, Jan came up with the lyrics resulting in "Skydive (I Feel Wonderful)" which despite being a club anthem, never translated to a commercial hit, finally hitting the top 40 at #35 on its third release in 2001. Paul Oakenfold
Paul Oakenfold
Paul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew...
signed her to his Perfecto Records
Perfecto Records
Perfecto Records is a United Kingdom based Trance record label founded by Paul Oakenfold in 1989.-History:Perfecto was founded by electronic music record producer and DJ Paul Oakenfold in 1989...
label in 1999 to record an album. The resulting album 'Emerging' was delayed numerous times, with her first Perfecto release being a track she recorded with BT years earlier entitled "Flesh", rather than an actual track from the album, which reached #36 in the charts. The original version of "Flesh" has never been released, only remixes. A cover of The Carpenters
The Carpenters
Carpenters were an American vocal and instrumental duo, consisting of sister Karen and brother Richard Carpenter. The Carpenters were the #1 selling American music act of the 1970s. Though often referred to by the public as "The Carpenters", the duo's official name on authorized recordings and...
' song, "Superstar
Superstar (Delaney and Bonnie song)
"Superstar" is a 1969 song written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell that has been a hit for many artists in different genres and interpretations in the years since; the best known version is by the Carpenters in 1971.-Original Delaney and Bonnie version:Accounts of the song's origin vary...
", was lined up to be the album's first single, with remixes produced by Todd Terry and Bill Hammel, but would ultimately go on to be unreleased. Only one track from 'Emerging' was released as a single; "Silent Words" in 2001, with the album ultimately being unreleased.
Remixes of one of the album tracks, "As The Cracks Appear", emerged on a Perfecto promo release, as did a remix of "Superstar", and a remix of the album track "Unafraid", appeared on the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
to the film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, Swordfish
Swordfish (film)
Swordfish is a 2001 crime-thriller film, directed by Dominic Sena and starring John Travolta, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle and Vinnie Jones. The film is an action thriller that was also notable for Halle Berry's first topless scene...
.
Following the failure of the 'Emerging' project, Johnston continued to write and record with trance producers, contributing five tracks to Paul van Dyk
Paul van Dyk
Matthias Paul, better known by his stage name Paul van Dyk is a German Grammy Award-winning Electronic Dance Music DJ, musician and record producer...
's Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nominated, Reflections album, amongst other projects.
In 2008, new solo tracks by Johnston began to emerge, with two of them "Sleeping Satellite" and "Obsession", released digitally in 2009 by Perfecto.
Singles
- 1990 "If I Never See Sunday"
- 1990 "Slide Away"
- 1991 "If This is Love"
- 1991 "Crying Over You"
Albums
- 1994 Naked But for Lilies (A&M Records)
- 2000 'Emerging' (unreleased) (Perfecto RecordsPerfecto RecordsPerfecto Records is a United Kingdom based Trance record label founded by Paul Oakenfold in 1989.-History:Perfecto was founded by electronic music record producer and DJ Paul Oakenfold in 1989...
)
Singles
- 1994 "Paris" (A&M Records)
- 1994 "Alive" (A&M Records)
- 1998 "Asking Too Much" (featuring Jamie Myerson) (Sound Gizmo)
- 2001 "Flesh" (Perfecto RecordsPerfecto RecordsPerfecto Records is a United Kingdom based Trance record label founded by Paul Oakenfold in 1989.-History:Perfecto was founded by electronic music record producer and DJ Paul Oakenfold in 1989...
) - 2001 "Superstar" (unreleased Perfecto RecordsPerfecto RecordsPerfecto Records is a United Kingdom based Trance record label founded by Paul Oakenfold in 1989.-History:Perfecto was founded by electronic music record producer and DJ Paul Oakenfold in 1989...
) - 2001 "Silent Words" (Perfecto RecordsPerfecto RecordsPerfecto Records is a United Kingdom based Trance record label founded by Paul Oakenfold in 1989.-History:Perfecto was founded by electronic music record producer and DJ Paul Oakenfold in 1989...
) - 2001 "As The Cracks Appear" (Perfecto RecordsPerfecto RecordsPerfecto Records is a United Kingdom based Trance record label founded by Paul Oakenfold in 1989.-History:Perfecto was founded by electronic music record producer and DJ Paul Oakenfold in 1989...
promo only) - 2002 "Am I on Pause?" (Perfecto RecordsPerfecto RecordsPerfecto Records is a United Kingdom based Trance record label founded by Paul Oakenfold in 1989.-History:Perfecto was founded by electronic music record producer and DJ Paul Oakenfold in 1989...
) - 2003 "Calling Your Name" (Thrillseekers re-recorded version with new vocals; Platipus RecordsPlatipus RecordsPlatipus Records was a popular trance music record label that was based in London, UK. It was founded in 1993 by Simon Berry. The early releases were almost exclusively limited to Berry's various projects, including Union Jack, Clanger, and Art of Trance...
) - 2008 "Everything I Need (Sea Of Dreams)" (Perfecto RecordsPerfecto RecordsPerfecto Records is a United Kingdom based Trance record label founded by Paul Oakenfold in 1989.-History:Perfecto was founded by electronic music record producer and DJ Paul Oakenfold in 1989...
Promo only) - 2009 "Happy Ending" (Metallic Recordings)
- 2009 "Sleeping Satellite" (Perfecto Digital)
- 2009 "Obsession" (Perfecto Digital)
Collaborations (Singles)
- 1995 Libra Presents Taylor - "Anomaly - Calling Your Name" (BT-produced track which samples "The Prayer" ("Paris" B-side)) UK #71
- 1997 Submerge - "Take Me By the Hand" UK #28
- 1997 BT - "Remember" UK #27
- 1998 Freefall - "Skydive" (single release, re-issued in 2000 and 2001) UK #75 (1998), UK #43 (2000), UK #35 (2001)
- 1999 BT - "Mercury & Solace" UK #38
- 1999 Libra presents Taylor - "Anomaly" (Remix/Re-release with new video) UK #43
- 2000 Tomski - "Love Will Come" UK #31
- 2002 Cosmic GateCosmic GateCosmic Gate is a German trance duo made up of Claus Terhoeven and Stefan Bossems . Both from Krefeld in Germany. On October 28, 2009, DJ Magazine announced the results of their annual Top 100 DJ Poll, with Ultra Records artist Cosmic Gate placed #19, 43 spots above the group's ranking the year...
- "Raging (Storm)" UK #48 - 2003 DJ Cor Fijneman - "Venus" UK #109
- 2003 Paul van DykPaul van DykMatthias Paul, better known by his stage name Paul van Dyk is a German Grammy Award-winning Electronic Dance Music DJ, musician and record producer...
- "Nothing But You" (also featuring Hemstock & Jennings and KymKym MarshKimberley Gail Marsh is an English actress and singer.- Early life :Marsh was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester and raised in Garswood, in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, Merseyside...
UK #14. - 2003 Svenson & Gielen - "Beachbreeze" UK #163 (through import sales) (Originally titled "Ocean")
- 2004 Serge Devant - "Transparent"
- 2005 Cosmic GateCosmic GateCosmic Gate is a German trance duo made up of Claus Terhoeven and Stefan Bossems . Both from Krefeld in Germany. On October 28, 2009, DJ Magazine announced the results of their annual Top 100 DJ Poll, with Ultra Records artist Cosmic Gate placed #19, 43 spots above the group's ranking the year...
- "I Feel Wonderful" (an update of her song recorded with Freefall "Skydive") UK #122 - 2006 Leama & MoorLeama & MoorLeama & Moor are a DJ and production duo of Andrew Beardmore and Marty Leama hailing from the UK. They have begun their music in 1999 under Leama's solo project with the songs "Requiem For A Dream" and "Melodica" before they officially formed the duo Leama & Moor...
- "Waiting" (originally titled "UR My Book") - 2007 DJ ShahDJ ShahRoger Shah is a German electronic music composer and producer.-Biography:Early History: Born in Esslingen in southern Germany to a German mother and a Pakistani father. His brother is Pedro del Mar, also a Trance DJ, hosts a bi-weekly vocal trance show called Mellomania...
- "Beautiful" - 2007 R&Y - "It's Cold Outside"
- 2007 J Joy - "Rush"
- 2008 DJ Trenix - "Let The World Fall Apart"
- 2008 Jussi Soro - "Merge"
- 2008 "Invisible Walls" (collaboration with Nektarios and trance singer Kirsty HawkshawKirsty HawkshawKirsty Hawkshaw is a British dance/electronica/house/trance musician and songwriter. She is known for her participation as lead vocalist for the group Opus III, and her collaborative work with other musicians and producers....
) - (Nektarios meets F-used) - 2010 San - "Perfect Dream"
- 2010 Tenishia - "Flesh 2010" (an update of her track "Flesh")
- 2010 Dave D'MelloDave DMelloDave D'Mello is a British dance music DJ and record producer from Maidstone, United Kingdom whom started life as a professional / semi professional footballer and was infamously banned for life...
- "Remember" (an update of her track with BT) - 2011 Cosmic GateCosmic GateCosmic Gate is a German trance duo made up of Claus Terhoeven and Stefan Bossems . Both from Krefeld in Germany. On October 28, 2009, DJ Magazine announced the results of their annual Top 100 DJ Poll, with Ultra Records artist Cosmic Gate placed #19, 43 spots above the group's ranking the year...
- "Raging 2011" (an update of the track released in 2002) - 2011 Tartarus - "Something's Missing"
- 2011 Nektarios meets F-used - "Invisible Walls 2011"
- 2011 Tenishia - "As It Should"
- 2011 Tartarus - "Define Love"
- 2011 F-used (a collaboration with Kirsty Hawkshaw) - "Inertia"
- 2011 Adam Sheridan - "Hysteria"
- 2011 Kevin Sawka - TBA
- 2011 Walsh & McAuley - TBA
- 2011 Loverush UK! - TBA
Album collaborations
In addition to the singles she has provided vocals for, Jan has also provided vocals to some artist albums with some of the tracks being released as singles.- 1997 BT - ESCMESCMESCM is the second album by electronica artist BT, released in 1997. Following Ima, Transeau branched out to create club anthems such as "Flaming June", while also drawing inspiration from drum and bass as well as hip hop...
album featuring Johnston on vocals on "Remember" and "Lullaby for Gaia" (US Version only) UK #35 - 1999 BT - Movement in Still LifeMovement in Still LifeMovement in Still Life is the third album by electronica artist BT. Released, in the United Kingdom in 1999, with a modified version for the United States in 2000...
album featuring Johnston on vocals on "Mercury & Solace", "Sunblind" (Japanese version only) and featuring Johnston on backing vocals on "Dreaming" & "Running Down the Way Up" UK #87 - 1999 Cloak - "Quiet Then" (from "Hackers Vol. 3" OST compilation album)
- 2001 Tiësto - "Close to You" (from the TiëstoTiëstoTijs Michiel Verwest, , known as Tiësto , is a Dutch musician, DJ and record producer of electronic dance music. Although he has used many aliases in the past, he is best known for his work as DJ Tiësto...
album In My MemoryIn My Memory (Album)-Credits:* "Magik Journey" Composer: Geert Huinink* "Obsession" Co-Producer: Junkie XL.* "Suburban Train" Co-Producer: Ronald van Gelderen* "Sparkles " Producer: Cor Fijneman-Release history:-Charts:...
) UK #133 - 2003 Paul van DykPaul van DykMatthias Paul, better known by his stage name Paul van Dyk is a German Grammy Award-winning Electronic Dance Music DJ, musician and record producer...
- Reflections album featuring Johnston on vocals on "Kaleidoscope", "Homage" (originally titled 'I Don't Care'), "Like a Friend", "Spellbound" and "Nothing But You" which features Norwegian vocals "Jeg har ingenting men jeg har alt nar jeg har deg" which translates to "I have nothing but I have everything when I have you." UK #81 - 2003 BT - Emotional TechnologyEmotional TechnologyEmotional Technology is the fourth album by electronica artist BT. Transitioning towards a poppier sound, the album features some of BT's well-known hits, including "Somnambulist", "The Force of Gravity" and "Superfabulous". "Somnambulist", also known as "Simply Being Loved", holds the Guinness...
album featuring Johnston on vocals on "Communicate" (unofficial single, 2 known remixes have been made) - 2005 Paul OakenfoldPaul OakenfoldPaul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew...
- "Delirium" (from The Club OST Soundtrack Mix album (TV series OST)) (originally recorded with DJ Manalo) - 2006 Cosmic GateCosmic GateCosmic Gate is a German trance duo made up of Claus Terhoeven and Stefan Bossems . Both from Krefeld in Germany. On October 28, 2009, DJ Magazine announced the results of their annual Top 100 DJ Poll, with Ultra Records artist Cosmic Gate placed #19, 43 spots above the group's ranking the year...
- Earth Mover album featuring Johnston on vocals on "This Is The Party" and "I Feel Wonderful" - 2006 Leama & MoorLeama & MoorLeama & Moor are a DJ and production duo of Andrew Beardmore and Marty Leama hailing from the UK. They have begun their music in 1999 under Leama's solo project with the songs "Requiem For A Dream" and "Melodica" before they officially formed the duo Leama & Moor...
- Common Ground album featuring Johnston on vocals on "Waiting" - 2006 Ernie Lake - "Daring" (from From the Hamptons to Ibiza, Vol. 2 (Ernie Lake Presents Chill a Bit of Soul) compilation album)
- 2007 Paul OakenfoldPaul OakenfoldPaul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew...
- "More Than Human" (from [Vexille] OST compilation album) - 2008 DJ ShahDJ ShahRoger Shah is a German electronic music composer and producer.-Biography:Early History: Born in Esslingen in southern Germany to a German mother and a Pakistani father. His brother is Pedro del Mar, also a Trance DJ, hosts a bi-weekly vocal trance show called Mellomania...
- "Songbook" featuring Johnston on vocals on "Beautiful (Glimpse Of Heaven)"
Other Works
Johnston has written and recorded many other tracks with various artists which have gone on to be unreleased or even released on promotional copies.- BT - "Confession" (2001)
- BT - "Shine" (2001)
- DJ Manalo - "Delirium" (2002) (later remixed and released on 'The Club OST' credited to Paul Oakenfold)
- DJ Manalo - "Falling Away" (2002)
- DJ Manalo - "Eternity" (2002)
- DJ Manalo - "Imagination" (2002)
- DJ Manalo - "Between Two Worlds" (2002)
- Paul van DykPaul van DykMatthias Paul, better known by his stage name Paul van Dyk is a German Grammy Award-winning Electronic Dance Music DJ, musician and record producer...
- "Should I Back" (2003) - Serge Devant - "Asteroid" (2004)
- DJ Manalo - "I Can't Move On" (2005)
- Matt Darey - "Broken Wings" (2006)
- Upacchi - "Read My Lips" (2006)
Other unreleased solo works:
- "Out There" (1999)
- "Religion" (1999) (later remixed and renamed as "Halo" which was intended to be a Double A Side release along with "Obsession")
- "Bittersweet" (2000) (an instrumental of God's Plan from the Emerging album )
- "Crawl To The Edge"
- "Go Away"
- "Faking Smiles" (2004)
- "Not Mine" (2004)