Howard Johnson
Howard Williams Johnson, born on November 28, 1956, in Miami, Florida, is an American soul and disco singer notable for his contributions to the music scene during the late 1970s and early 1980s. He is recognized as the founder of the group Niteflyte, which gained attention in the disco genre.
Johnson's musical journey began at a young age, exhibiting a natural talent for singing. He eventually embarked on a solo career, becoming known for hits that resonated with the soul and dance music audience. Among his notable achievements is the charting of two songs on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart during his career, underscoring his popularity within the disco scene.
His 1982 solo debut, Keepin' Love New, featured the massive hit "So Fine," which topped the dance charts and hit #6 on R&B. He followed up with other charting singles, including "Let This Dream Be Real" and "Stand Up".
In addition to his singing career, Johnson has worked as a songwriter, producer, and record label executive, indicating a diversified involvement in the music industry. Throughout his career, he has left a significant mark on the soul and disco genres, contributing to the rich tapestry of American music.
After his major label run, Johnson remained active, producing and recording. He released new music, including the single "Jam" with B & The Family in 2021, and continues to tour and record. He uses modern portable studio gear, allowing him to record quality music on the road.
Though his peak career years were primarily focused in the early 1980s, Johnson's influence and legacy in the worlds of soul and disco continue to be recognized.
(Provided by SoulYears.com)
Doin' It My Way
Written-By – Murphy - Frank, Kellow
6:24
A2 Jump Into Fire
Written-By – Murphy - Frank
4:43
A3 Let's Take Time Out
Written-By – Murphy - Frank, Kellow
4:37
A4 Missing You
Written-By – Schock, Henderson, Benford
3:30
B1 Much Too Much
Written-By – Cope, Mic Murphy
5:00
B2 You're The One I've Needed
Written-By – Murphy - Frank
5:48
B3 Let This Dream Be Real
Written-By – C. Peyton, J. Skinner
4:07
B4 Everywhere I Go
Written-By – Murphy - Frank
3:30
Label: A&M Records – AMLH 64961
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 1983
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Soul, Funk, Boogie
Keepin' Love New
Written-By – Kashif
5:32
A2 Take Me Through The Night
Written-By – Paul Lawrence Jones
3:50
A3 This Is Heaven
Written-By – Morrie Brown
5:22
A4 Jam Song
Written-By – Freddie Jackson, Paul Lawrence Jones
3:48
B1 Keepin' Love New
Written-By – Kashif
4:05
B2 So Glad You're My Lady
Written-By – Kashif, Paul Lawrence Jones
4:35
B3 Say You Wanna
Written-By – Kashif
4:44
B4 Forever Falling In Love
Written-By – Paul Lawrence Jones
4:16
Label: A&M Records – SP-4895
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Boogie, Funk, Soul
The Vision
Producer – Howard Johnson, Monte Moir
Written-By – Howard Johnson, Jerry Knight
4:21
A2 Knees
Producer – Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
Written-By – Terry Lewis, James Harris III
5:31
A3 So Tuff
Producer, Written-By – Rick Timas, Vincent Brantley
4:50
A4 Outta My Head
Producer, Written-By – Rick Timas, Vincent Brantley
5:15
B1 You've Got A Lot To Learn
Producer, Written-By – Monte Moir
4:09
B2 Show Me How
Producer, Written-By – Rick Timas, Vincent Brantley
4:46
B3 All We Have Is Love
Producer – Howard Johnson, Jermaine Jackson, John McClain
Written-By – Candy Parton, Kevin Moore
4:23
B4 Older Girl
Producer, Written-By – Monte Moir
4:50
Label: A&M Records – SP 4982
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Disco, Funk
Released in 1985 on A&M Records, The Vision is the third and final solo studio album by R&B vocalist Howard Johnson. The album is characterized by its mid-80s soul and funk sound, featuring "bouncy digital bass" and "brassy keyboard" arrangements typical of that era's contemporary R&B.
The album is notable for its diverse production credits, which unified several trendy mid-80s R&B styles into a cohesive dance-groove record:
The iconic production duo (Flyte Tyme Productions) served as executive producers and handled key tracks, including the hits "Stand Up" and "Knees".
Monte Moir: A frequent Jam & Lewis collaborator who produced "Older Girl," a track described as capturing the "light-hearted nature of '80s R&B".
Jermaine Jackson: Co-produced the ballad "All We Have Is Love," which provided a stylistic departure from the album's general dance-oriented tone.
Vincent Brantley and Rick Timas: Produced tracks like "So Tuff" and "Outta My Head".
While Howard Johnson's earlier work was heavily influenced by Kashif's "Mellow Music" sound, The Vision represented a modern update to his style, successfully incorporating the dominant electronic funk sound popularized by the Minneapolis scene.
The album remains a cult favorite for fans of 1980s funk and has been reissued in various formats, including an expanded CD edition by Vinyl Masterpiece.