Howard Johnson | Doin' It My Way
Album Review: Howard Johnson | Doin’ it My Way
(A&M – 1983)
by Randy Holmes
One year after Coconut Grove, Florida native Howard Johnson (or "Hojo" as he's sometimes known) dropped his landmark and groundbreaking 1982 A&M Records release "Keeping Love New" (containing the Top 5 worldwide smash "So Fine"), he dropped another genre-busting album with his 1983 sophomore A&M release, "Doin' It My Way". The album was produced by a pair of Electro-Soul pioneers: keyboardist Mr. David Frank and vocalist extraordinaire/guitarist Mr. Mic Murphy - collectively known as "The System" and just coming off of their own worldwide hit, "You Are in My System".
This remarkable album was trading on the 'New Wave' sound that was creeping up and permeating American shores from the U.K. Many American R&B and Pop acts started to incorporate it into their sound. This terribly under the radar album contained mid tempo to hard funk stompers, cool chill out tunes rounded out by a smooth and sexy ballad. "Doin' It My Way" was the perfect follow-up album for a talented artist whose star was ready to explode. It's worth pointing out that The System was among the first artists/production teams to experiment with the emerging MIDI technology and to incorporate that technology not only into this album but the changing R&B scene of the time. Something a lot of people don't know about Howard is that he's an incredibly talented guitarist in his own right.
The other creative and gifted musicians featured on this record are keyboardist Khris Kellow, bassist Timmy Allen, guitarist Paul Pesco, and percussionist Steve Kroon. The backing vocalists feature the spectacular talents of Ms. Cindy Mizelle, Ms. Dolette McDonald, Ms. Jocelyn B. Smith, Ms. La Forest "Lala" Cope, Mr. Mic Murphy and, last but certainly not least, Mr. Bernard Fowler.
Starting this album off is the handclapping, feel good and 'higher aspiration' lyrical themed title track "Doin' It My Way". Right from the very first beats of the Linn Drum LM-1 -or- Oberheim DX drum machine 'Tom Tom' fills {I'm not sure which one David used - I'll have to ask him} to the doubled and tripled tracked vocals of Howard improvising towards the end, you knew something was about to jump off. That jump off is THIS stellar recording that slams from start to finish. On this particular selection, the live percussion underlined the well sequenced synthesizer parts very effectively as your body will surely move side to side. Howard's vocal delivery is at its very best singing in an aggressive, take charge and confident demeanor. The background vocals add their lively contribution to the lyrics in that they're sung in church choir fashion ...... you feel them more than you hear them.
On "Let's Take Time Out", the funk is in full throttle on this bass synth-heavy throw down. The drum programmed kick, hi hat and snare are more than in-sync with the funky guitar licks of either Paul or Mic. Howard brings another heartfelt plea to the lady he'd like to get with to just let the love flow naturally. The melodic and acrobatic phrasings of Howard's lead vocal chugs alongside Mic Murphy's distinctive voice quite well with his own accompanying background vocal part. The female background vocal adlibs add a great touch to Howard's exceptionally thundering vocal offerings. It's interesting to hear him don his near perfect British accent as he closes out the song with pseudo rap verses. Clever !
"Much Too Much" was originally recorded by a band Mic Murphy fronted years earlier called "Sass". The rhythm and vocal arrangement to that song and Howard's re-recorded version are pretty much the same. This time around, David adds the Mini-Moog Bass, giving the song depth and focus as it compliments Howard's smooth-tempered vocal. Once again, the background vocalists sound just as pleasant and even flowed as they could possibly sing. Their significant contributions brought this song to life in a lot of ways. If you're interested in hearing the original Sass version, please refer to the following YouTube link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBmOStra7e8&feature=related
On the toned down, subtly ‘funkatized’ sexiness of "You're The One I Needed", you'll hear a tamed bass synth yet somehow it’s still in your face - front and center. The futuristic outer space textures of the various synths along with the restless emotional pleaing of Howard will certainly put the mood in its rightful setting in lieu of a romantic evening. Once again, the tonality of the background vocalists is in harmony, dead-on-key and right in the pocket. Wonderful song !
The classic System grooves are set in motion on the fun-filled "Everywhere I Go." Howard's lead vocal - though powerful and dynamic - is not the star of this party – at least not to me. It's percussionist Steve Kroon's funkdafied "Quica" performance that shined the brightest on this track !! A "quica" is a small friction drum and its name is pronounced 'kwee-kaa'. This instrument originated in northeastern Brazil. It is unique in that the sound is not made by beating the drum's head. Instead, the player rubs the stick that is fixed in the centre of the drum skin. The rhythm track itself is smoking as, once again, the bass-synth funk 'n rolls with the vocoder by its side - a perfect ending to a perfect Electro-Funk album ! If you're interested, here's what a "Quica" looks like and how it’s played:
YouTube video - Click here!
Still, to this day, Howard Johnson is recording and performing all over the world. He's just as relevant today as he was the first time we heard him on the 1979 radio hit "If You Want It," recorded by Nite Flyte, a group of which he was once a member. Here it is to joggle the memory : Click Here!
Happy Listening !
Randy Holmes
The Urban Music Scene
*Become a friend of Howard Johnson's on his Facebook page {Make sure you're logged in first} : Click Here!
........ and while you're at it, and if you could swing it $$$$ wise, pick up this fantastic album at Amazon.Com : Click Here!
........ and if you could REALLY swing it $$$$ wise, I highly recommend you pick up the reissue of Hojo's "Doin' It My Way", along with his 3rd A&M release, the even MORE trendsetting album, 1985's "The Vision", combined on one disc, at Amazon.Com
Posted by Administration at 5/16/2011 7:56 AM 
Categories: Funk, Rhythm and Blues, Old School Soul, Videos, Perspectives
Tags: 80s Music Music Videos
Categories: Funk, Rhythm and Blues, Old School Soul, Videos, Perspectives
Tags: 80s Music Music Videos
***** WRITER'S POLITICAL CORRECTION-NESS ******
It has come to my attention, in which I would like to set the record straight. .... and please make note of this for historical purposes.
Keyboardist/writer/producer, and a major contributor to this album, Mr. Khris Kellow, is indeed the co-writer of two songs on this album, the album's title track, "Doin' It My Way" and "Let's Take Time Out".
Khris, in addition, informed me that the Oberheim DMX Drum Machine was indeed utilized in the title track, "Doin' It My Way", intro as I mentioned.
Thank You Very Much Khris for this information !
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