The Brothers Johnson - Out Of Control (1984)

Artist:  The Brothers Johnson
Title:  Out Of Control
Release:  1984
Format:  LP
Label:  A&M Records
Catalog#  AMLH 64965

Although they were nearly a decade on from their ’70s heyday, the Brothers Johnson, with Leon Sylvers at the production helm, still managed to set a few grooves on fire among the heavy, heady crop of synthesized R&B that flooded the adult contemporary market. There’s an interesting interplay between the strong bass and vocals, supported by a smattering of guitar and a markedly slow tempo, which ensured that the single “You Keep Me Coming Back” would power into the R&B Top 20. Much of Out of Control follows through with much the same attitude, with nary a true funk-fueled jam to be found. Some of the duo’s original intent survives on “I Came Here to Party” and the title track, but such stompers are few and far between, merely filling space in between the ballads and soft soul numbers that dominate the set, leaving the smart “Dazed” to fall somewhere in between. Out of Control probably won’t thrill the socks off the brothers’ funk fans, but there are still moments that merit a closer listen. And despite the soft sonics that proliferate, the Brothers Johnson certainly proved they were worthy of their staying power, while so many of their peers fell soundly by the wayside.


Side one
1.  You Keep Me Coming Back  (5:14)
2.  Lovers Forever  (4:30)
3.  Do You  (3:20)
4.  Let’s Try Love Again  (3:26)
5.  I Came Here To Party  (4:01)

Side two
1.  Out Of Control  (4:18)
2.  Save Me  (4:07)
3.  Tokyo  (4:38)
4.  Dazed  (4:23)
5.  It’s All Over Now  (3:58)

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The Brothers Johnson - Light Up The Night (1980)

Artist:  The Brothers Johnson
Title:  Light Up The Night
Release:  1980
Format:  LP
Label:  A&M Records
Catalog#  AMLK 63716

“Light Up The Night” is the fourth album by the Los Angeles, California-based duo Brothers Johnson, released in 1980.
“Light Up The Night” marked the end of an era for the Brothers Johnson, it was the last of four albums that Quincy Jones produced for the Los Angeles siblings, and it was the last time a Brothers Johnson album was truly excellent instead of merely decent. When Jones was producing the Brothers Johnson’s albums from 1976-1980, he gave them something their subsequent albums lacked consistency. Even though George and Lewis Johnson recorded some decent material after “Light Up the Night”, none of their post-Jones albums had the type of consistency that Jones gives this 1980 release. The album gets off to an impressive start with the major hit “Stomp!” (a definitive example of the smooth, sleek brand of funk that was termed sophisticated funk in the late ’70s and early ’80s), and the tracks that follow are equally memorable. From the sleek sophisti-funk of “You Make Me Wanna Wiggle,” “This Had to Be” (which was co-written by Michael Jackson and employs him as a background vocalist), and the title song to the tender R&B/pop ballads “Treasure” and “All About the Heaven,” Light Up the Night is without a dull moment.


Side one
1.  Stomp!  (6:24)
2.  Light Up The Night  (3:46)
3.  You Make Me Wanna Wiggle  (3:36)
4.  Treasure  (4:09)

Side two
1.  This Had To Be  (5:13)
2.  All About The Heaven  (3:59)
3.  Smilin’ On Ya  (3:46)
4.  Closer To The One That You Love  (3:11)
5.  Celebrations  (4:30)

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