Description
Light Up the Night is the fourth studio album by the American R&B/funk group The Brothers Johnson, released on A&M Records in 1980. The album was recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien with Quincy Jones producing. It features background vocals by Michael Jackson (who also co-wrote “This Had To Be”) as well as contributions by the funky Seawind Horns.
The album topped the US R&B albums chart and reached No. 5 on the pop albums chart, and was as well voted one of the top albums of 1980 by Rolling Stone Magazine. The single, “Stomp!”, became a dance hit, reaching No. 1 on both the R&B singles and disco charts and Top Ten on the pop singles chart.
The Los Angeles-based Brothers Johnson, an American funk and R&B group featuring Louis a.k.a. ‘Thunder Thumbs’ (April 13, 1955 – May 21, 2015) and his brother George a.k.a. ‘Lightnin’ Licks’, got their start backing up Quincy Jones before releasing their acclaimed, Jones-produced debut LP Look Out for #1 in 1976. They achieved their greatest success from the mid-1970s to early ’80s, with three singles topping the R&B charts (“I’ll Be Good to You”, “Strawberry Letter 23”, and “Stomp!”). Louis Johnson was considered the “in-house” bass player of producer Quincy Jones, and his session playing on several hit albums of the 1970s and 1980s includes the “best selling album of all time”, Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Johnson’s signature sound is from the Music Man StingRay bass which Leo Fender especially made for him to first use and promote, and from his slapping technique. In 1981 Louis Johnson released a funky gospel oriented album on A&M Records under the moniker Passage.
The album gets off to an impressive start with the major hit «Stomp!» (a definitive example of the smooth, sleek brand of funk that was termed sophisticated funk in the late ’70s and early ’80s), and the tracks that follow are equally memorable. From the sleek sophisti-funk of «You Make Me Wanna Wiggle», «This Had to Be» (which was co-written by Michael Jackson and employs him as a background vocalist), and the title song to the tender R&B/pop ballads «Treasure» and «All About the Heaven», Light Up the Night is without a dull moment. [Alex Henderson, AMG]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/light-up-the-night/1434901683)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Stomp!” – 6:24
A2. “Light Up The Night” – 3:46
A3. “You Make Me Wanna Wiggle” – 3:36
A4. “Treasure” – 4:09
Side Two
B1. “This Had To Be” – 5:13
B2. “All About The Heaven” – 3:59
B3. “Smilin’ On Ya” – 3:46
B4. “Closer To The One That You Love” – 3:11
B5. “Celebrations” – 4:30
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by A&M Records, with the vinyl edition originally housed in a gatefold sleeve. Later re-issued on CD.
CREDITS. Produced by Quincy Jones.
Musicians: George Johnson (Rhythm & Lead Guitar, Lead and Backing Vocals), Louis Johnson (Bass, Guitar, Piano, Synthesizer, Lead and Backing Vocals), Greg Phillinganes (Electric Piano, Piano, Synthesizer), Steve Porcaro (Synthesizer), Rod Temperton (Electric Piano), Paulinho DaCosta (Percussion), John Robinson (Drums). Jerry Hey (Trumpet), Gary Grant (Flugelhorn, Trumpet), Kim Hutchcroft (Flute, Saxophone – Baritone, Soprano, Tenor), Larry Williams (Flute, Saxophone – Alto, Tenor, Synthesizer), Bill Reichenbach Jr. (Euphonium, Trombone, Trumpet – Slide, Strings (Conductor)). Backing Vocals: Augie Johnson, Jim Gilstrap, Josie James, Merry Clayton, Michael Jackson, Scherrie Payne, Susaye Greene-Brown, Valerie Johnson, Quincy Jones. Alex Weir (Backing Vocals and Lead Vocals on “You Make Me Wanna Wiggle”), Richard Heath (Backing Vocals and Lead Vocals on “Treasure”).
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