Marcus Johnson: This Is How I Rock (2010)

Marcus Johnson's approach to Herb Alpert's chart topping single RISE features trumpeter Greg Adams of Tower of Power fame. The track seductively blends Adams' smoky trumpet as Johnson seamlessly weaves his intricate and hypnotic piano accompaniment with Adams' trumpet blast. On THANK YOU Johnson teams up again with Najee for his interpretation of Sly and the Family Stone's famous song. The funky swagger of Najee's sax and the shimmering ethereal sound from Johnson's Fender Rhodes gives this classic a new twist. The Brazilian hit song MAS QUE NADA, made popular by Sergio Mendes, adds an exotic flavor to the CD which features the background vocals of Jazz/R&B hit-maker Maysa. Also on this CD is Jamiroquai's VIRTUAL INSANITY that features a majestic string arrangement with up and coming violinist, Bobby Yang. Johnson adds a sophisticated sheen to the Hall & Oates classic I CAN'T GO FOR THAT. After the success of his previous Billboard charting album POETIALLY JUSTIFIED Marcus Johnson's THIS IS HOW I ROCK, boldly delves into the pop/rock genre with a jazz spin that captures some of the industry's most notable songs that influenced him earlier in his career. This album exemplifies Johnson's versatility and brilliant interpretative skills and will engage listeners with his signature jazz funk sound.

Tracklist
1.Fly Like An Eagle
2.Thank You (For Letting Me Be Myself)
3.I Can't Go For That
4.Rise
5.Virtual Insanity
6.Mas Que Nada
7.Come Together
8.Smells Like Teen Spirit
This Is How I Rock
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Marcus Johnson: Inter Alia - Among Other Things (2000)

A smooth jazz keyboardist, Marcus Johnson incorporates the rhythms of rap with the soul of R&B. Johnson grew up listening to a broad variety of music: his mother played classical piano and his first memorable concert experience was seeing an Earth, Wind & Fire show with his father. His interest in jazz first showed itself when he began tinkling the keys at age 13 (his step-father won Maryland's "Pick-3 Lottery" and used the winnings to buy Johnson's first keyboard) and he found himself studying both traditional and contemporary jazz musicians (Joe Sample and Thelonious Monk are two names he frequently cites).

Johnson also established Marimelj Entertainment Group, Inc., a production company and music publisher that prides itself on blending a mixture of contemporary jazz, alternative, and R&B to create what the company calls "the Urban Groove."

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Inter Alia

Marcus Johnson: Urban Groove (2000) mp3 @ 320K

Even if the title of Marcus Johnson's disc Urban Groove isn't as fanciful as that of his 1998 effort Chocolate City Groovin', the thread is clear: Like his chief influence George Duke, he's all about rhythm, writing nice melodies but always in the context of solid funk. That said, there's a certain irony in pegging the most appealing cuts from Urban Groove as those that digress from the typical pop-funk trappings. "Sandy Point," for instance, keeps the rhythm relaxed so that the lush piano hook — so reminiscent of Bruce Hornsby's "The Way It Is" — can shine through seductively. Even better, Johnson really hits pay dirt when he goes the porch-rocking blues route on "Down Home." Over a boogie-woogie piano foundation, Kevin Levi's sax — simply serviceable to Johnson's keyboard lines on so many other cuts — honks happily along with Johnson's chipper Fender Rhodes musings. The disc closes with Johnson stripped to the bone emotionally, accompanied only by an acoustic piano and quiet synth embellishments on "The Puzzle." Elsewhere, he keeps things grooving happily, though less remarkably. The undeniably catchy sax-synth hook of the opening track, "Pavilion," wears thin after repetition, while "18th Street Loungin'" is playful Joe Sample-flavored fluff. "Plush" has a cool, hypnotic groove with the contrabass playing of Walter Cosby and the drumming of Eric Valentine, but Johnson's meandering Rhodes melody doesn't build to any sort of heartfelt payoff.

Marcus Johnson: Comin' Back Around (2001) mp3 @ 320K

A smooth jazz keyboardist, Marcus Johnson incorporates the rhythms of rap with the soul of R&B. Johnson grew up listening to a broad variety of music: his mother played classical piano and his first memorable concert experience was seeing an Earth, Wind & Fire show with his father. His interest in jazz first showed itself when he began tinkling the keys at age 13 (his step-father won Maryland's "Pick-3 Lottery" and used the winnings to buy Johnson's first keyboard) and he found himself studying both traditional and contemporary jazz musicians (Joe Sample and Thelonious Monk are two names he frequently cites).Johnson also established Marimelj Entertainment Group, Inc., a production company and music publisher that prides itself on blending a mixture of contemporary jazz, alternative, and R&B to create what the company calls "the Urban Groove."

Marcus Johnson - Poetically Justified (2009)

I have not yet heard a Marcus Johnson CD that I have not liked - usually it's a cool, soulful vocal or a bit of smooth jazz with a rare hint of feature and stamina and so with 2009's Three Keys effort, "Poetically Justified" we are more than treated to both in equal measure. For me this rates as one of Marcus' best efforts to date. Fans of Maysa, Najee and Miles Jaye will want this set for every reason you can possibly think of, and for me the great surprise is the funky, sexy re-working of Miles Jaye's 1991 track "Capice" featuring the great man himself no less on vocal chores. For me this takes the original cutting by storm and turns it into soimething far better! Miles Jaye and Marcus Johnson...what a combination! Maysa's vocal contribution on "Master Of My Heart" is a sheer aural delight. Almost fitting of inclusion on a Kloud 9 CD, this song sees our Gorgeous Maysa teasing us with sexy phrasing, sumptuous flourishes and wonderful pitching. Maysa is, for me, one of THE female soul stars of our time and much respect to the likes of Marcus etc for acknowledging this and giving her the right sort of material for her more than apparent talents.Equally, "Hold On" is another Maysa gem. More in the vein of a chunkier uptempo dancer with lashings of '70s jazz-fusion thrown in for good measure, this song and it's whole smooth mix has all the hallmarks of the best songs from 4Hero. Classy stuff, and I really want to hear much more of this. Saxophonist (and vocalist!) Marcus Anderson adds much to the warm keys that enshroud us on "Stand By Me". As far as the keys go, I feel the '70s work of Ramsey Lewis very much at large, and when the song really gets going his sax work reminds me of Eddie M. Delicious stuff, and Najee also knocks us out with his work on the FUNKY "I See You". Vocally we are in electronic territory. NOT the crass, ephemeral and totally rubbish auto-tuning that today's "RnB" children use, but more talk box a la Herbie Hancock or Roger Troutman. None of the instrumentals let us down, either. The opening cut, "Chillaxin'" is well worth a spin and it's ethic flavours add extra spices to an already toothsome musical dish. "Cherish The Journey" beefs up the set no end, and "Danni's Song" offers a Norman Connors feel with some grand piano, lavish in approach and slap bass guitar. Think "One For Mr. C" and you're not far away from what you have here. Marcus Johnson can stand and take a bow from what he has served up here. A real must and one for lovers of soul and jazz.
Barry Towler - The Vibe Scribe