The Brothers Johnson* – Right On Time

If the world was ending this record is going in my "go"
bag

Album Revolution #2:

After scoring a MAJOR HIT with their 1st album, "Look Out For #1", "The Brothers Johnson" (along with their Friend and Mentor, "Quincy Jones"), had the confidence to go ahead and Record their next offering, "Right On Time"....

"Quincy", still as Producer, brought along Friends like: "Harvey Mason", "Ralph MacDonald", "Dave Grusin" and even sought the assistance of one of the BADDEST Horn Sections EVER in "The Tower Of Power Horn Section"!!!!!

Even if that is the case though, "The Brothers" developed their own Band in: "Wanyne Vaughn" (Keyboards), "Kenny Pickins" (Trombone and Percussion), their Cousin, "Alex Weir" (Guitar), "Richard Heath" (Congas, Timbales and occasional Vocals), "Ray Brown" (Fluegelhorn and Trumpet), "Ricky Lawson" (Drums) and "Marc Johnson" (Synthesizers and Electronic Piano)....

Now, getting their THANG together, the album starts with, "Runnin' For Your Lovin'"....This FUNKY Percussion Jam has a SPOOKY Moody Vibe to it...The "Dave Grusin" Keyboards put such a EERIE feel to a RIGHTEOUS Funk Groove!!!! Also the Vocals of "The Brothers" (along with "Alex Weir" and "Mortonette Jenkins") adds to the SPOOKY allure... Don't laugh, but this was one of those Songs that SCARED me when I was a Kid (I know, I know, SMH!!!!!).....

"Free Yourself, Be Yourself" puts me almost in the head space of a sped up "Land Of Ladies" (from the "Look Out For #1" album).....It has an AIRY yet CORKY feel to it....But because "The Brothers" adds those FUNKY Bass and Guitars "Licks", along with some Liberating Lyrics, it has become an "Isaac D. Body Sway" t!!!!!!

"Q".....BOMB!!!!!

Dedicated to their Friend and Mentor, this SPACEY Fusion, yet Jazzy Funk t makes you just say WOW!!!! Those "Louis Bass Backdrops" and "George Guitar Runs", makes this ANOTHER "Isaac D. Body Sway" t!!!! It may sound simple on the surface, but again, the Groove of "The Brothers" will make your head bob, HARD!!!! I have NO IDEA why I didn't like this song when I was a Kid....CRAZY!!!!!

The "Title Track" is just FUNKY, PERIOD!!!!! This one sounds like "Q" was telling "The Brothers" that "Dr. Funkenstein, George Clinton", was CHALLENGING them to get FUNKIER!!!! It WORKED!!!!!

Side 2 starts with one of the MOST BELOVED ts EVER, "Strawberry Letter 23"...

Given BIRTH to us, by one of the MOST TALENTED Musicians EVER in, "Shuggie Otis", this Soul Folk MASTERPIECE, got an IMPORTANT MAKEOVER!!!!! Not to say that "Shuggie's" Version isn't PRICELESS, because IT IS!!!!! I'm just saying though, THIS Version, WOW!!!!!! "The Brothers" Spacey Funk FITS this Composition to the TEE!!!!! Also, the "Dave Grusin"/"Ian Underwood" OUT OF SPACE Keyboards, along with "George's" TRANSENDENT Guitar Solo, just makes your Head FLOAT!!!! A MASTERPIECE from a MASTERPIECE!!!!!

"Brother Man" is just another straight up FUNK JAM!!!! Again, the "Louis Bass" and "George Guitar", MIXED with the "Dave Grusin" Keyboards, another "Isaac D. Body Sway" t!!!!!!!

"Never Leave You Lonely" is one those "Funk Love Letters"...."Louis" gets a RARE Lead Vocal, leading off to an "Brother Johnson" FUNK JAM!!!! This was dedicated to "Louis" Wife at the time, in "Valerie Johnson", who also lends Background Vocals (along with "Quincy's" Wife "Peggy Jones")....

"Love Is", ends this FANTASTIC album RIGHTEOUSLY!!!!! It is another AIRY t, that eventually leads into a "Love Together Jam Session" toward the end...I say that because of the Background Vocals of, "George", "Alexandra Brown", "Denise Trammell", "Jim Gilstrap", "Oren Waters", "Stephanie Spruill", with "Ralph MacDonald" capping it off with Percussion....On a personal note, this was one of my Moms FAVORITE ts....She used to Dance to this with me and my Sister....MAN!!!!!

Well, ANOTHER Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel Platinum album for "The Brothers Johnson"....In fact they even won a "Grammy" for "Best R&B Instrumental Performance" for "Q".....

Again, this is why the GOLDEN EAR of "Quincy Jones" was SO IMPORTANT to the Music World!!! "The Brothers Johnson" was able to BENEFIT from this, and was able the CEMENT their OWN Legacy as a result of it!!!!!

Be that as it may be, "The Brothers Johnson, Right On Time", came out, "Right On Time"....I may consider that a Dad Joke, but it was also, THE TRUTH!!!!!

Strawberry Letter 23 sounds absolutely outstanding on this pressing...great overall sound...highly highly recommended.

Amazing bass. Sound quality is great. Pick it up if you find it.

I believe this is the Indianapolis pressing that I have, if anyone needs to know.
My copy includes the same runout numbers, plus the "I" stamps and a few other figures here and there. It also has the "Mfd. by RCA Music Service under license" on the label, and stamped on the back cover in white.

killer pressing , litterally jumps off the turntable
quiet dynamic and punchy ,really clear clean top end too !

Mine also has the aforementioned inner sleeve. It also came with the hole punch and says “promotional - not for sale” on the label.

Very good pressing, for a wonderful funk group !
I could compare this original version of strawberry letter with the CD version on the OST of Jackie Brown.
This one is far better in term of clarity. Especialy for the stereo channel separation. Voices and strings are clearly separate, and have lot of punch.

my copy has an 8 page colour 12" insert full of pictures, and promotional inner sleeve showing many other albums on A&M available at the time