L.V. Johnson
L.V. Johnson was an American Chicago blues and soul-blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter born on December 25, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois.
He was the nephew of blues legend Elmore James and learned guitar from B.B. King, later becoming a session musician at Stax Records.
Johnson contributed guitar work to artists like the Bar-Kays, Johnnie Taylor, and the Soul Children. His songwriting shone through hits such as "Are You Serious" and "True Love Is Hard to Find" for Tyrone Davis, "Country Love" for Bobby Bland, and "Give Your Baby a Standing Ovation" for the Dells. He served as Tyrone Davis's accompanist before launching a solo career in the early 1980s on labels like ICA, Phono, and Ichiban, though without major commercial breakthroughs.
He gained recognition for tracks like "Don't Cha Mess with My Money, My Honey or My Woman" and "Recipe," plus later singles such as "It's So Cold & Mean (On The Drug Scene)." He co-owned a steakhouse and nightclub in Chicago.
His key albums include We Belong Together (1981), All Night Party (1986), I Really Don't Care (1987), Cold & Mean (1989), I Got the Touch (1991), and Unclassified (1992).
Johnson's 1981 track "I Don't Really Care" was sampled by J Dilla on Donuts (2006). He passed away in Chicago on November 22, 1994, at age 47 from undisclosed causes
We Belong Together
A2 I Love You I Want You (L.V. Johnson 3:56)
A3 Try A Little Tenderness (Woods, Campbell, Connaly 5:31)
A4 I'm A Lucky Guy (L.V. Johnson 4:30)
B1 I Don't Really Care (L.V. Johnson 5:13)
B2 The Whole Town's Laughing (Marshall, Wortham 5:46)
B3 Dancing Girl (L.V. Johnson 4:17)
B4 Danny Boy (Arranged by L.V. Johnson 5:16)
Label: Phono Records – 1001A/B
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Funk Soul
L.V. Johnson's 1981 album We Belong Together is a highly regarded, rare soul album, celebrated by fans and small record labels for its authentic, "handmade" production and classic soul-pop anthems.
The album is considered a "jewel" among collectors of mid-to-late 70s and early 80s soul/disco. It has a high average fan rating on sites like Discogs (4.61/5).
Reviewers consistently praise the album for its authentic, "handmade" quality, highlighting the talent and professionalism of the musicians involved. The sound is noted as perfect and well-crafted, allowing listeners to discover intricate details within each song.
Johnson's vocals are described as rich, fervent, and expressing deep emotions. The music creates an atmosphere of "utter joy and deep relaxation," offering relief and shining in "bright colors". It is an easy-listening record that avoids the superficiality of many pop productions from the era, suitable for both focused listening and parties.
We Belong Together is an album created with "love and passion" that is highly recommended for lovers of the softer side of soul music. While not widely reviewed by major contemporary music critics at the time, its reputation has grown significantly among modern soul and funk enthusiasts and collectors, who consider it a standout and timeless record in its genre. You can browse user ratings and details on Discogs.