Name: Diamond In The Rough
Brand: Syl Johnson

Bonus disc

Catalogue number

FPH11791

Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2023-03-03

Signed copies

Supplier GB

The Orchard

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

767981117911

Total Cap

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.

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.

Diamond In The Rough

Music GB