Tag Archives: Louis Johnson

Aretha Franklin: Through the Storm

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In May 1989, “Arista” label released “Through the Storm”, the thirty-fifth Aretha Franklin studio album. It was recorded in 1988, and was produced by Narada Michael Walden, Walter Afanasieff, Arif Mardin, Joe Mardin and Aretha Franklin.

Personnel:

  • Aretha Franklin– lead and backing vocals, acoustic piano, vocals engineer
  • James Brown – lead vocals
  • Whitney Houston– lead vocals
  • Elton John– lead vocals
  • Four Tops– vocals
  • Reggie Griffin – guitar
  • Corrado Rustici – guitar, rhythm guitar
  • Steve Khan– guitar
  • Narada Michael Walden– Simmons drums, synthesizer, arrangements
  • Aaron Zigman– bass vocal, keyboards
  • David Foster– electric piano, synthesizer
  • Robbie Kondor – synthesizer, acoustic piano
  • David Paich– acoustic piano
  • Walter Afanasieff– keyboards, synth bass, drum programming
  • Ren Klyce– Fairlight CMI programming, additional keyboards
  • Louis Johnson– bass guitar
  • Jerry Knight – bass guitar
  • Yogi Horton– drums
  • Jeff Porcaro– drums
  • John Robinson– drums
  • George Devens – percussion
  • Steve Kroon – percussion
  • Greg “Gigi” Gonaway – cymbal
  • Marc Russo– saxophone solo
  • Kenny G– saxophone
  • Andy Snitzer – tenor saxophone
  • Kenneth Hitchcock – baritone saxophone
  • Chris Botti– trumpet
  • Kent Smith – trumpet
  • Mike Davis – trombone
  • Arif Mardin– arrangements
  • “Bongo” Bob Smith – drum programming
  • Sammy Merendino – additional drum samples
  • Joe Mardin – programming, sequencing, recording, mixing
  • Claytoven Richardson– backing vocals
  • Edie Lehman – backing vocals
  • Siedah Garrett– backing vocals
  • Kitty Beethoven – backing vocals
  • Margaret Branch – backing vocals
  • Brenda Corbett – backing vocals
  • Liz Jackson – backing vocals
  • Skyler Jett – backing vocals
  • Melisa Kary – backing vocals
  • Marti McCall – backing vocals
  • Rod Hui – recording, mixing
  • Mike Iacopelli – recording , vocal recording
  • Darren Klein – engineer, mixing
  • Lincoln Clapp – engineer
  • David Frazer – engineer
  • Marlene Cohen – art direction
  • Peter Max – cover art
  • Norman Parkinson – photography

Track listing:

  1. Gimme Your Love – Narada Michael Walden, Jeffrey Cohen
  2. Mercy – Siedah Garrett, Glen Ballard
  3. He’s the Boy – Aretha Franklin
  4. It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be – Albert Hammond, Diane Warren
  5. Through the Storm – Albert Hammond, Diane Warren
  6. Think – Aretha Franklin, Ted White
  7. Come to Me – Willard Eugene Price
  8. If Ever a Love There Was – Pamela Phillips Oland, Todd Cerney

Michael Jackson: Dangerous

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michael-jackson-dangerous

On November 26, 1991, “Epic” label released “Dangerous”, the eighth Michael Jackson studio album. It was recorded June 1990 – October 1991, at “Ocean Way Studios” and “Record One Studios”, and was produced by Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley, Bill Bottrell and Bruce Swedien.  The album was certified 10 x Platinum in Australia by “ARIA”; 4 x Platinum in Austria by “IFPI Austria”;  6 x Platinum in Canada by “Music Canada”; 5 x Platinum in Chile by “IFPI’; Platinum in Finland by “Musiikkituottajat”; Diamond in France by “SNEP”; 4 x Platinum in Germany by “BVMI”; Diamond in Italy by “FIMI”; 2 x Platinum in Japan by “RIAJ”; 7 x Platinum by Malaysia by “RIM”;  2 x Platinum in Mexico by “AMPROFON”; 3 x Platinum in Netherlands by “NVPI”; 6 x Platinum in New Zealand by “RMNZ”; 6 x Platinum in Spain by “PROMUSICAE”; 3 x Platinum in Sweden by “GLF”; 5 x Platinum in Switzerland by “IFPI Switzerland”; 6 x Platinum in UK by “BPI”, and 7 x Platinum in the US by “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Michael Jackson- lead and backing vocals, soprano voice, arrangement, vocal and rhythm arrangements, director
  • Slash – guitar
  • Tim Pierce – guitar
  • Paul Jackson Jr.- guitar
  • John Barnes – keyboards
  • Jasun Martz- keyboards
  • Michael Boddicker- synthesizers, speed sequencer, keyboards, keyboards programming
  • Bill Bottrell – rap, Father speaking part, synthesizer, guitar, bass, mellotron, drums, percussion, recording, mixing,
  • Brad Buxer- keyboards, synthesizers, percussion, keyboard arrangements, programming, keyboard programming
  • Bruce Swedien – keyboards, drums, percussion, recording, mixing, arrangements
  • Jai Winding – keyboards, keyboard programming, piano, bass
  • Greg Phillinganes- keyboards
  • René Moore – keyboards, arrangements
  • David Paich- keyboards, synthesizers, keyboard arrangements, keyboard programming, rhythm arrangement
  • Steve Porcaro- synthesizers, keyboards, keyboard programming
  • Teddy Riley – keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, drums, rhythm arrangement, synthesizer arrangement, recording, mixing
  • Rhett Lawrence- synthesizers, synthesizer programming, drums , percussion, arrangements
  • Terry Jackson – bass guitar
  • Louis Johnson- bass guitar
  • Abraham Laboriel- bass guitar
  • Jeff Porcaro- drums
  • Bryan Loren- drums, Moog bass
  • Christa Larson- ending solo vocal
  • Mystery Girl (Princess Stéphanie of Monaco) – vocals
  • The John Bahler Singers – choir
  • The Andraé Crouch Singers – choir
  • Linda Harmon – soprano voice
  • Heavy D- rap
  • Andres McKenzie – Son speaking part
  • Larry Corbett – cello
  • George Del Barrio – string arrangements
  • Endre Granat- concert master
  • John Bahler- vocal and choir arrangements
  • Jerry Hey- arrangement
  • Glen Ballard- arrangements
  • Andraé Crouch- choir arrangements
  • Sandra Crouch- choir arrangements
  • Johnny Mandel- orchestral arrangements, conductor
  • Marty Paich- orchestral arrangements, conductor
  • Jim Mitchell – recording
  • Thom Russo- recording
  • Jean-Marie Horvat – recording
  • Matt Forger – recording, engineer, mixing, sound design
  • Craig Brock – recording assistant

Track listing:

  1. Jam – Michael Jackson, René Moore, Bruce Swedien, Teddy Riley
  2. Why You Wanna Trip on Me – Teddy Riley, Bernard Belle
  3. In the Closet – Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley
  4. She Drives Me Wild – Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley; rap lyrics by Aqil Davidson
  5. Remember the Time – Teddy Riley, Michael Jackson, Bernard Belle
  6. Can’t Let Her Get Away – Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley
  7. Heal the World – Michael Jackson
  8. Black or White – Michael Jackson, Bill Bottrell
  9. Who Is It – Michael Jackson
  10. Give In to Me – Michael Jackson, Bill Bottrell
  11. Will You Be There – Michael Jackson
  12. Keep the Faith – Glen Ballard, Siedah Garrett, Michael Jackson
  13. Gone Too Soon – Larry Grossman, Buz Kohan
  14. Dangerous – Michael Jackson, Bill Bottrell, Teddy Riley

Herbie Hancock: Man-Child

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Man Child

On August 22, 1975, “Columbia” label released “Man-Child”, the seventeenth Herbie Hancock studio album. It was recorded 1974 – 1975, at “Wally Heider Studios”; “Funky Features” in San Francisco, “Village Recorders”; “Crystal Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by David Rubinson and Herbie Hancock.

Personnel:

  • Herbie Hancock– synthesizer, acoustic piano, electric piano, ARP Odyssey, ARP Pro Soloist, Oberheim 4 Voice, Fender Rhodes, clavinet
  • Dewayne McKnight, David T. Walker– electric guitar
  • Wah Wah Watson – electric guitar, synthesizer, voice bag
  • Stevie Wonder– harmonica
  • Wayne Shorter– alto and soprano saxophones
  • Jay DaVersa, Bud Brisbois– trumpet
  • Bennie Maupin– bass clarinet, alto flute, saxello, bass flute, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, percussion
  • Ernie Watts, Jim Horn– flute, saxophone
  • Dick “Slide” Hyde– tuba, bass trombone
  • Garnett Brown– trombone
  • Henry E. Davis, Paul Jackson, Louis Johnson– electric bass
  • Harvey Mason, James Gadson, Mike Clark– drums
  • Bill Summers– percussion

Track listing:

All tracks by Herbie Hancock, except where noted.

  1. Hang Up Your Hang Ups – Herbie Hancock, Ragin, Paul Jackson
  2. Sun Touch
  3. The Traitor – Herbie Hancock, Ragin, Louis Johnson, Wayne Shorter
  4. Bubbles – Herbie Hancock, Ragin
  5. Steppin’ in It
  6. Heartbeat – Herbie Hancock, Ragin, Paul Jackson

 

 

Michael Jackson: Thriller

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Michael_Jackson_-_Thriller

On November 30, 1982, “Epic” label released “Thriller”, the sixth Michael Jackson studio album.  It was recorded April – November 1982, at the “Westlake Recording Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson. With more than 65 million copies sold worldwide“Thriller” is the best selling album of all time. In 1984, the album won a record eight “Grammy Awards”, including “Album of the Year” award. In 2003 magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked “Thriller” on number 20 on its list of “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. “The National Association of Recording Merchandisers” ranked “Thriller” at number three in its “Definitive 200” albums of all time. The album was included in the “Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry” of culturally significant recordings. In 2012, magazine “Slant” ranked “Thriller” at number one on its list of “Best Albums of the 1980”.

Personnel:

  • Michael Jackson – lead and backing vocals, drum case beater, bathroom stomp board, handclaps, vocal arrangements, rhythm arrangements , horn arrangements , synthesizer arrangements
  • Paul McCartney– vocals
  • Quincy Jones– rhythm arrangements, vocal arrangements, musical arrangements
  • Steve Lukather– guitar, bass guitar, additional guitars  musical arrangements
  • Eddie Van Halen– guitar
  • Paul Jackson, Jr.– guitar
  • Dean Parks – guitar
  • David Williams – guitar
  • Rod Temperton – keyboards, synthesizers, rhythm arrangements, vocal arrangements , synthesizer arrangements
  • Steve Porcaro – keyboards, synthesizers, synthesizer programming , musical arrangements
  • Bill Wolfer – keyboards , synthesizers, synthesizer programming
  • Brian Banks – keyboards, synthesizer, synthesizer programming
  • Michael Boddicker– keyboards, synthesizers, Emulator, Vocoder
  • N’dugu Chancler– drums
  • Paulinho da Costa– percussion
  • David Foster– synthesizers, synthesizer arrangements
  • Anthony Marinelli– synthesizer programming
  • David Paich – keyboards, synthesizers, piano, rhythm arrangements, musical arrangements
  • Greg Phillinganes – keyboards , synthesizers, electric piano, synthesizer programming
  • Greg Smith – synthesizers
  • Louis Johnson– bass guitar
  • Jeff Porcaro – drums
  • Larry Williams – saxophone, flute
  • Jerry Hey– trumpet, flugelhorn, horn arrangements, string arrangements, strings conductor
  • Gary Grant – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Bill Reichenbach – trombone
  • Chris Shepard  – vibraslap
  • Vincent Price – voice-over
  • La Toya Jackson, Janet Jackson – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Wanna Be Startin’ Something – Michael Jackson
  2. Baby Be Mine – Rod Temperton
  3. The Girl Is Mine – Michael Jackson
  4. Thriller – Rod Temperton
  5. Beat It – Michael Jackson
  6. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
  7. Human Nature – Steve Porcaro, John Bettis
  8. Pretty Young Thing – James Ingram, Quincy Jones
  9. The Lady In My Life – Rod Temperton

Billy Preston: Music Is My Life

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Music_Is_My_Life

On October 8, 1972, “A&M” label released “Music is my Life” the seventh Billy Preston studio album.  It was recorded in 1972, and was produced by Billy Preston.

Personnel:

  • Billy Preston – vocals, keyboards, bass guitar
  • George Johnson – guitars
  • Hubert Heard – keyboards
  • Louis Johnson – bass guitar
  • Manuel Kellough – drums
  • Tom Scott – horn
  • Jim Horn – horn
  • George Bohanon – horn
  • Buck Monari – horn
  • Paul Hubison – horn
  • Clarence McDonald, David T. Walker- arrangements
  • Roland Young – art direction
  • Jim McCarty – photography

Track listing:

All songs by Billy Preston, except where noted.

  1. We’re Gonna Make It
  2. One Time or Another – Billy Preston, Robert Sam
  3. Blackbird – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
  4. I Wonder Why – Billy Preston, George Johnson
  5. Will It Go Round in Circles – Billy Preston, Bruce Fisher
  6. Ain’t That Nothin – Billy Preston, Joe Greene, Robert Sam
  7. God Loves You – Billy Preston, John Schuler
  8. Make the Devil Mad – Turn on to Jesus
  9. Nigger Charlie – Billy Preston, Joe Greene
  10. Heart Full of Sorrow – Billy Preston, George Johnson
  11. Music Is My Life

Louis Johnson

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On May 21, 2015, Louis Johnson died aged 60. He was musician (bass), founding member of funk band the “Brothers Johnson” and one of the most demanded bass players. Johnson performed on Quncy Jones albums “Body Heat” and “Mellow Madness”, Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall”,  “Thriller” and “Dangerous” and hit songs “Billie Jean” and “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”. Johnson also performed on George Benson’s album “Give Me the Night”.