Syl Johnson - Is It Because I'm Black

Year : 1970

Label : Twinight Records

Genre : Soul

Style : Funk/Soul

Syl Johnson at the top with his second album, a masterpiece of Soul/R&B recorded in 1969 featuring The Pieces Of Peace as backing band and Jimmy Jones as songwriter. Like most of Afro-American songwriters from the sixties decade, Syl Johnson explores identity and social condition of his community including protest songs, whose iconic "It Is Because I’m Black" is the most representative, becoming a big Soul classic over time. Titles include also the killer funk "Right On", played in the purest James Brown style, Jazz & Pop covers from Oscar Brown (Black Balloons), Joe South (Walk A Mile In My Shoes) and The Beatles (Come Together). Produced and performed by Syl Johnson and The Pieces Of Peace.

MUSICIANS : Syl Johnson - vocal, rhythm guitar - John Bishop - lead guitar - Bernard Reed - bass - Byron Bowie - saxophone - Rahmlee Michael Davis & Jerry Wilson - trumpet - Hal "Heavy" Nesbitt - drums

Syl Johnson - Dresses Too Short

Year : 1968

Label : Twinight Records

Genre : Soul

Style : Funk/Soul

Big Soul record by guitarist/singer Syl Johnson, hitmaker and producer from Chicago, released under Twinight Records including his 1967 hit, "Come On Sock It to Me". This soulful album features among influences of various contemporary R&B artists. The song "Different Strokes" is a popular raw material for samples in Hip-Hop community, such as Public Enemy on "Miuzi Weighs A Ton" (1986), Wu-Tang Clan on "Shame On A Nigga" (1993) or more recently by rappers Kanye West and Jay Z on "The Joy" (2010).