(September 14, 2017) We’ve been fans of Syleena Johnson since Day One on SoulTracks; her talent goes beyond even what her many fans know. And now we’re excited because Syleena is getting ready to issue a new album, Rebirth of Soul, on November 17 on Shanachie Entertainment.
(September 14, 2017) We’ve been fans of Syleena Johnson since Day One on SoulTracks; her talent goes beyond even what her many fans know. And now we’re excited because Syleena is getting ready to issue a new album, Rebirth of Soul, on November 17 on Shanachie Entertainment.
The album was conceived and produced by her father, the legendary soul/blues singer and producer Syl Johnson, whose original hit version of "Take Me To The River" was covered by Al Green and Talking Heads, and features Syleena Johnson's searing interpretations of classic R&B songs, mainly from the Fifties and Sixties, recorded in real time with live musicians just the way "real music" used to be made. Syleena shares, "The inspiration behind Rebirth of Soul is my father. I wanted to honor him and classic soul music in a time when auto tune and electronic beats reign supreme. While I am not against this kind of creative musicianship, there is so much more to the real thing. True Soul music tells stories...stories that can heal a nation."
The songs on Rebirth of Soul, hand-picked by Syl Johnson, run the gamut from lesser-known gems such as Betty Everett's "There'll Come A Time," Johnson's own "We Did It" and Bettye Swann's "Make Me Yours" to such landmark hits as "Chain of Fools" and "I'd Rather Go Blind," done definitively by Aretha Franklin and Etta James respectively. Syleena manifests an uncanny ability to get inside of each song, digging deep to deliver passionate performances that bring a fresh spark to even the best known selections. "For each song I channeled the emotions of the record," Syleena confides. "I put myself in the mind of each storyteller and in doing this I was able to merge myself into the story of each record. This is how I was able to put my own personal stamp on each record."
We’re proud to present the ultra-cool new version of “We Did It” as our newest SoulTracks First Listen. Check it out below and get ready for a step back with Syleena Johnson!
Syleena Johnson - "We Did It"