Longtime SoulTrackers know that we're big fans of the classic soul group Enchantment. Well, it was a real treat for us to present to group lead and Detroit musical legend E.J. Johnson the SoulTracks Lifetime Achievement Award on February 22 at the Smooth Soul Cafe Experience II, hosted by Ladon K. Ford and headlined by popular singer/songwriter Darnell Kendricks.
The evening was full of great music, led off by the excellent HTS Band and then flautist Brandon Marceal. Kendricks performed several of his biggest songs, including his hit "Strawberry Lemonade," before beginning a rousing cover of Enchantment's "It's You That I Need."
Longtime SoulTrackers know that we're big fans of the classic soul group Enchantment. Well, it was a real treat for us to present to group lead and Detroit musical legend E.J. Johnson the SoulTracks Lifetime Achievement Award on February 22 at the Smooth Soul Cafe Experience II, hosted by Ladon K. Ford and headlined by popular singer/songwriter Darnell Kendricks.
The evening was full of great music, led off by the excellent HTS Band and then flautist Brandon Marceal. Kendricks performed several of his biggest songs, including his hit "Strawberry Lemonade," before beginning a rousing cover of Enchantment's "It's You That I Need."
The celebration of Johnson's career continued when legendary Motown producer Clay McMurray read the City of Detroit's "Spirit of Detroit Award" being awarded to Johnson and SoulTracks founder Chris Rizik came to the stage and presented the SoulTracks Lifetime Achievement Award.
The crowd convinced Johnson to perform and he wowed the house with a 10 minute, rousing version of the #1 hit "Gloria" (see the clip below). The show ended as Kendricks and his background singers performed "4 Evermore," the Anthony David / Algebra reworking of the classic Enchantment hit. What followed was an hour long after-party celebration, with Johnson graciously taking pictures with everyone amid smiles and laughs.
Congratulations to E.J. Johnson on a well deserved award, and to Darnell Kendricks and friends for providing Detroit with a great night of entertainment!