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In the late '70s and early '80s, funk could be divided into two main categories: hardcore funk (which included Rick James, Graham Central Station, Cameo, the Gap Band, the Bar-Kays, and George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic empire) and the lighter, softer sophisticated funk ("sophisti-funk" for short) of Rufus & Chaka Khan, the Average White Band, the Whispers, Heatwave, Chic, Dynasty, and Teena Marie. Before the arrival of J.T. Taylor in 1979, Kool & the Gang were the epitome of hardcore funk -- and once he arrived, they epitomized sophisti-funk (which was also called "uptown funk"). Another group that epitomized sophisti-funk was the Brothers Johnson, whose third album, Blam!!, demonstrates that funk can be sleek and gritty at the same time. This 1978 classic is full of definitive examples of sophisti-funk; if you're a lover of that style, tracks like "Ain't We Funkin' Now" (a major hit), "Mista' Cool," "Ride-O-Rocket," and the title song are required listening. Equally strong are the mellow ballad "It's You, Girl" and the pop-jazz instrumental "Streetwave," both of which were well-received by quiet storm enthusiasts. The person the Brothers Johnson can thank for this album being so consistent is producer Quincy Jones, who really knew how to bring out the best in the group. A former jazz musician who shifted his focus to R&B/pop in the 1970s, Jones can be a real perfectionist. It was Jones who, in 1982, produced the best selling album of all time (Michael Jackson's Thriller), and he rarely let the Brothers Johnson settle for second best. As a result, Blam!! is excellent from start to finish.
© Alex Henderson /TiVo
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Harvey Mason, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - William Eaton, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Lawrence Williams, Flute, Saxophone, Alto Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Bruce Swedien, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jerry Hey, Flugelhorn, French Horn, Trumpet, Horn Arranger, Piccolo Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Frank Floyd, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gwen Guthrie, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Vivian Cherry, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - DAVID FOSTER, Keyboards, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Patti Austin, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Tee, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Brecker, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Johnson, ComposerLyricist - Quincy Jones, Producer, Horn Arranger, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Kim Hutchcroft, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Alto Flute, AssociatedPerformer - TOM BAHLER, Horn Arranger, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Steve Porcaro, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Grant, Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Piccolo Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie "Bongo" Brown, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Bill Reichenbach, Trombone, Bass Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Weir, ComposerLyricist - The Brothers Johnson, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Floyd, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Valerie Johnson, ComposerLyricist - Raymond Simpson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Zachary Sanders, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Rodriguez, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard "Jose" Heath, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ullanda McCullouch, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Shaffer, Drum Machine, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Pickens, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1978 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Harvey Mason, Drums, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - George Johnson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - DAVID FOSTER, ComposerLyricist - Louis Johnson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Quincy Jones, Producer - TOM BAHLER, Producer, Associate Producer - LARRY CARLTON, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Brothers Johnson, MainArtist - Steve Shaffer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1978 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Harvey Mason, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - William Eaton, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Lawrence Williams, Flute, Saxophone, Synthesizer, Alto Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Bruce Swedien, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jerry Hey, Flugelhorn, French Horn, Trumpet, Horn Arranger, Piccolo Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Frank Floyd, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gwen Guthrie, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Vivian Cherry, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - DAVID FOSTER, Keyboards, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Patti Austin, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Tee, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Brecker, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Quincy Jones, Horn Arranger, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Kim Hutchcroft, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Alto Flute, AssociatedPerformer - TOM BAHLER, Horn Arranger, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Steve Porcaro, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Grant, Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Piccolo Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie "Bongo" Brown, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Bill Reichenbach, Trombone, Bass Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - David W. Foster, ComposerLyricist - The Brothers Johnson, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Floyd, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Raymond Simpson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Mckay Weir, ComposerLyricist - Henry George Johnson, ComposerLyricist - Louis E. Johnson, ComposerLyricist - Zachary Sanders, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Rodriguez, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard "Jose" Heath, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ullanda McCullouch, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Shaffer, Drum Machine, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Pickens, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1978 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Jerry Hey, ComposerLyricist - Quincy Jones, Producer - William Reichenbach, ComposerLyricist - The Brothers Johnson, MainArtist
℗ 1978 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Harvey Mason, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - William Eaton, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Lawrence Williams, Flute, Saxophone, Alto Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Bruce Swedien, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jerry Hey, Flugelhorn, French Horn, Trumpet, Horn Arranger, Piccolo Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Frank Floyd, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gwen Guthrie, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Vivian Cherry, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - DAVID FOSTER, Keyboards, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Patti Austin, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Tee, Keyboards, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Brecker, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Quincy Jones, Producer, Horn Arranger, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Kim Hutchcroft, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Alto Flute, AssociatedPerformer - TOM BAHLER, Horn Arranger, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - NICKOLAS ASHFORD, ComposerLyricist - Valerie Simpson, ComposerLyricist - Steve Porcaro, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Forman, Timpani, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Grant, Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Piccolo Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie "Bongo" Brown, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Bill Reichenbach, Trombone, Bass Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - The Brothers Johnson, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Floyd, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Raymond Simpson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Zachary Sanders, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Rodriguez, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard "Jose" Heath, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ullanda McCullouch, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Pickens, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1978 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Harvey Mason, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - William Eaton, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Lawrence Williams, Flute, Saxophone, Synthesizer, Alto Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Bruce Swedien, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jerry Hey, Flugelhorn, French Horn, Trumpet, Horn Arranger, Piccolo Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Frank Floyd, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gwen Guthrie, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Vivian Cherry, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - DAVID FOSTER, Keyboards, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Patti Austin, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Tee, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Brecker, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Johnson, ComposerLyricist - Quincy Jones, Horn Arranger, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Kim Hutchcroft, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Alto Flute, AssociatedPerformer - LARRY WILLIAMS, ComposerLyricist - TOM BAHLER, Horn Arranger, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Porcaro, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Grant, Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Piccolo Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie "Bongo" Brown, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Bill Reichenbach, Trombone, Bass Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - The Brothers Johnson, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Floyd, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Raymond Simpson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Zachary Sanders, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Rodriguez, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ed Eckstine, ComposerLyricist - Richard "Jose" Heath, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ullanda McCullouch, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Shaffer, Drum Machine, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Pickens, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1978 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Steve Khan, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - George Johnson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Johnson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Quincy Jones, Producer, ComposerLyricist - TOM BAHLER, Producer, Associate Producer - Alex Weir, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - The Brothers Johnson, MainArtist - Henry George Johnson, ComposerLyricist - Louis E. Johnson, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1978 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Lawrence Williams, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - George Johnson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Johnson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Quincy Jones, Producer - TOM BAHLER, Producer, Associate Producer - Wayne Vaughn, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jerome R. Hey, ComposerLyricist - The Brothers Johnson, MainArtist - Alex Mckay Weir, ComposerLyricist - Louis E. Johnson, ComposerLyricist - Wayne Lee Vaughn, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1978 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Quincy Jones, Producer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - NICKOLAS ASHFORD, ComposerLyricist - Valerie Simpson, ComposerLyricist - The Brothers Johnson, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1978 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Louis Johnson, ComposerLyricist - Quincy Jones, Producer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - TOM BAHLER, ComposerLyricist - Alex Weir, ComposerLyricist - The Brothers Johnson, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Valerie Johnson, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1978 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Album review
In the late '70s and early '80s, funk could be divided into two main categories: hardcore funk (which included Rick James, Graham Central Station, Cameo, the Gap Band, the Bar-Kays, and George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic empire) and the lighter, softer sophisticated funk ("sophisti-funk" for short) of Rufus & Chaka Khan, the Average White Band, the Whispers, Heatwave, Chic, Dynasty, and Teena Marie. Before the arrival of J.T. Taylor in 1979, Kool & the Gang were the epitome of hardcore funk -- and once he arrived, they epitomized sophisti-funk (which was also called "uptown funk"). Another group that epitomized sophisti-funk was the Brothers Johnson, whose third album, Blam!!, demonstrates that funk can be sleek and gritty at the same time. This 1978 classic is full of definitive examples of sophisti-funk; if you're a lover of that style, tracks like "Ain't We Funkin' Now" (a major hit), "Mista' Cool," "Ride-O-Rocket," and the title song are required listening. Equally strong are the mellow ballad "It's You, Girl" and the pop-jazz instrumental "Streetwave," both of which were well-received by quiet storm enthusiasts. The person the Brothers Johnson can thank for this album being so consistent is producer Quincy Jones, who really knew how to bring out the best in the group. A former jazz musician who shifted his focus to R&B/pop in the 1970s, Jones can be a real perfectionist. It was Jones who, in 1982, produced the best selling album of all time (Michael Jackson's Thriller), and he rarely let the Brothers Johnson settle for second best. As a result, Blam!! is excellent from start to finish.
© Alex Henderson /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 10 track(s)
- Total length: 00:42:02
- Main artists: The Brothers Johnson
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: A&M
- Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B R&B
© 2021 UMG Recordings, Inc. ℗ 2021 UMG Recordings, Inc.
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