Name: Diamond in the Rough
Brand: Syl Johnson

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

FPH11793

Colour

Orange

Colour details

Tiger's Eye

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: Yes

Extended format

Extended format: Yes

Format detail

Essential Edition

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2023-02-17

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

The Orchard

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

767981117935

Total Cap

Orange LP | Rough Trade Exclusive

fph11792

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Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format: No

2014-03-24

0767981117928

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1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Syl Johnson

Genre GB

Funk / Soul

Label GB

Fat Possum

Syl Johnson was an American funk/soul/blues singer and music producer. He began his career in the 1950s, singing and playing with blues artists such as Magic Sam, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells, and Howlin' Wolf. In 1959, he made his solo debut with Federal Records backed by Freddie King on guitar. Johnson then went on to record for Twinight Records in the mid-1960s where he had several hits including "Come On Sock It to Me" in 1967.
During this time, Johnson explored themes of African-American identity and social problems in songs like "Is It Because I'm Black," which reached Number 11 on the R&B charts in 1969. In 1971, he signed with Hi Records and recorded three albums and a number of singles produced by Willie Mitchell. Hits like "We Did It," "Back for a Taste of Your Love," and "Take Me to the River" solidified his success.
After leaving Hi Records, Johnson started his own label called Shama and released two LPs including the hit record "Ms. Fine Brown Frame." In the mid-1980s, he became semi-retired from performing after starting a fast-food fish restaurant business. However, inspired by discovering that his song "Different Strokes" had been sampled by various rappers including Wu-Tang Clan and MC Hammer, Johnson made a comeback in 1994

Fat Possum Records is a label that was established in 1991 with the sole purpose of recording R.L. Burnside. Over time, it evolved into a mission to discover and record the last remaining original bluesmen before they passed away. Despite facing various challenges such as difficult personalities, limited songs, and a raw sound that didn't fit the mainstream blues market, these artists possessed immense talent and truly lived the blues.

In recent years, Fat Possum has expanded its catalog to include newer indie blues rock bands alongside their traditional offerings.

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Fat Possum Remastered Edition. This second of three underrated releases for Hi finds Syl Johnson slowly but surely transforming from a credulous loser into a standup guy no one messes around with. 'Diamond in the Rough' could be viewed as a creative bridge between the slightly formulaic Hi approach of 1973's 'Back for a Taste of Your Love' and the more bluesy and rewarding 'Total Explosion' from 1975. Different from the southern soul belter which distinguished fellow Hi second leaguers Otis Clay and O.V. Wright, Johnson's unique feat lies in his earnest yet sometimes ironic take on love and relationships. Exemplary are 'Keeping Down Confusion' with its rolling organ and 'Don't Do It,' where the singer drives home the ultimate cliche of "I was just doing my job / Working overtime," convincing listeners of wrongfully being accused of cheating on his better half. Singing at the top of his register unintentionally added to Johnson's well-timed delivery and was perfected for Total Explosion's closing track 'That's Just My Luck.' Not a dry eye in the house as Johnson's seemingly guilty conscious ("What am I doing here / With another man's wife / I'm shaking in fear / But I'm having the time of my life / I'm a fool / To put myself in jeopardy / But I can't help myself / She makes sweet love to me") makes for an adultery song which holds up with the likes of Don Covay's 'I Was Checkin' out She Was Checkin' in.' 'Diamond in the Rough' has its own surprises, for instance in the minor R&amp;B chart success of 'I Want to Take You Home to See Mama.' Initially coming on too joyfully honest for its own good, its credibility easily supersedes Al Green's 'Let's Get Married.' As ballads like the unfairly overlooked first single 'Please Don't Give up on Me' stand out, the albums best song remains the driving 'Stuck in Chicago.' The only song not written by Willie Mitchell and his gang, it paved the way for Total Explosion's tougher approach where the former Chicago bluesman would let it loose on his harmonica. His reading of 'Take Me to the River' gave the author and Hi superstar he was often compared to a run for his money. Like Big Mouth Billy Bass miming the song to Tony Soprano in one of the television series' episodes, Johnson did have the last laugh as 'getting stuck in Chicago' would lead to his biggest hit.

Diamond in the Rough

Music GB

Discover Diamond in the Rough by Syl Johnson on Fat Possum. Remastered CD & LP formats, Rough Trade Exclusive & Limited Edition. A soulful journey of transformation and love with a touch of irony.