Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is a British soul and gospel singer known for his work in the late 1980s and beyond. He rose to prominence after performing with gospel groups and transitioning to a solo career with CBS Records.
He began singing in school and church choirs while living in New York during the 1970s. He drew inspiration from gospel artists like Andraé Crouch and the Hawkins Family, later returning to the UK to join gospel ensembles.
Johnson joined the pioneering UK gospel band Paradise, sharing lead vocals with Doug Williams on all three of their albums and achieving chart success with tracks like "One Mind Two Hearts." He also performed with the London Community Gospel Choir and provided background vocals for Junior Giscombe on the Red Wedge Tour alongside artists such as Paul Weller and The Smiths.
In 1986, his London Gospel circuit performances led to a CBS Records deal, resulting in two solo albums: his self-titled debut (1987) and Personal (1989). Key singles included "When Love Comes Calling" (UK No. 52), "Half a World Away" (UK No. 79), and "No More Tomorrows" (UK No. 67).
Post-CBS, Johnson collaborated with artists like Mica Paris, M People (for nearly four years), and DJ Dodge on tracks such as "If We Lose Our Way" (1994). He managed vocalist Shaun Escoffery and contributed as a production coordinator for session singers.
Paul Johnson
Written-By – Giscombe, Smith
3:53
A2 Fear Of Falling
Written-By – Lendor, Johnson
3:59
A3 New Love
Written-By – Giscombe, Smith
5:59
A4 Every Kinda People
Written-By – Fraser
3:15
A5 Intimate Friends
Written-By – Glenn
4:19
A6 Where Can You Be
Written-By – Jackson, Moore.
4:42
B1 Burnin'
Written-By – Johnson, Powell, Carter
4:55
B2 Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away
Written-By – Wonder
5:35
B3 Are We Strong Enough
Written-By – Giscombe, Johnson, Powell
4:43
B4 Half A World Away
Written-By – Roy Scott, Payne
4:00
B5 Don't Pass Me By
Written-By – Paul Johnson
4:31
Label: Epic – BFE 44038
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Eighties Soul, Swing
Released in 1987, the self-titled debut album by British singer Paul Johnson is a work of soulful, gospel-infused contemporary R&B. Distributed by CBS Records, the album showcased Johnson’s distinct high falsetto, which critics often compared to Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire.
The album is described as orchestrated contemporary R&B and soul with strong gospel influences. Johnson, a former member of the gospel-funk group Paradise, was noted for his "great voice" and soulful delivery.
The album features 1980s-style orchestration and production, which some contemporary reviewers described as a "hidden jewel" of the era.
Johnson attracted the attention of Paul Weller (The Jam, The Style Council), whose enthusiasm for Johnson's talent helped lead to his recording contract with CBS.
While the album did not make him a mainstream "superstar," it earned significant praise from influential figures like BBC DJ John Peel, who hosted Johnson for a session in late 1987.
The album was available on Vinyl LP, Cassette, and CD. Some editions included a booklet with full lyrics.
Personal
Engineer – Richard Hollywood
Overdubbed By [Additional Overdubs By], Mixed By – Chris Porter
Producer – Junior Giscombe
Written-By – J. Giscombe, R. Smith 4:12
2 No More Tomorrows
Engineer – Richard Lengyel
Producer – Steve Jolley And Tony Swain
Written-By – S. Jolley / T. Swain 3:55
3 Masquerade
Engineer – Richard Lengyel
Producer – Steve Jolley And Tony Swain
Written-By – S. Jolley / T. Swain 4:46
4 In A Circle
Producer, Mixed By – Chris Porter
Written-By – P. Johnson, P. Powell 4:36
5 Who Shot Cupid
Producer, Mixed By – Chris Porter
Written-By – P. Johnson, P. Powell 4:07
6 Sweet Marinda
Producer, Mixed By – Chris Porter
Written-By – J. Giscombe, R. Smith 5:01
7 Not Enough Love In The World
Engineer – Richard Lengyel
Producer – Steve Jolley And Tony Swain
Written-By – B. Tench, D. Kortchmar, D. Henley 3:59
8 You're No Good
Engineer – Richard Hollywood
Mixed By – Chris Porter
Overdubbed By [Additional Overdubs By], Mixed By – Chris Porter
Producer – Junior Giscombe
Written-By – P. Johnson, P. Edwards 4:29
9 Father Father
Engineer – Paul Hunt
Mixed By – Chris Porter
Producer – Paul Johnson
Written-By – P. Johnson, P. Powell 4:33
10 Me Oh My
Producer, Mixed By – Chris Porter
Written-By – P. Johnson, P. Edwards 4:00
Label: CBS – 463284 2
Format: CD, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 1989
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Gospel-Soul
Paul Johnson's 1989 album Personal is a highly regarded soul and gospel classic that failed to make a significant commercial impact at the time of its release, but has garnered a dedicated fanbase over the years.
The album is praised for being a complete exploration of soul music, blending classic soul with a fresh dash of gospel. Reviewers describe his voice as "brilliant" and "very soulful," with a quality that sends "tingles" down the listener's back, sometimes drawing comparisons to the high falsetto style of Earth, Wind & Fire's Philip Bailey.
Many fans consider Personal a "timeless gem" that deserved more recognition. It maintains a strong appeal for serious soul music enthusiasts.
While the entire album is generally well-received, the track "Half a world away" is frequently mentioned as a standout.
One professional review cited in the CD Review Digest Annual 1990 noted the album as a "rivetingly complete exploration of soul music that is light enough for mass appeal and involved enough to be of lasting value".
For fans of authentic, soulful music with a strong gospel influence, Personal is considered a must-have album that showcases Paul Johnson's exceptional vocal talent. Despite its initial lack of chart success, it has become a cherished classic among its target audience. You can often find copies of the album on marketplaces like Amazon or Discogs.