The Brothers Johnson* – Winners

Album Revolution #5:

Sorry I was gone for a minute, had some personal things going on....

But ANYWAY, getting back on track, from 1976 to 1980, "The Brothers Johnson" were on a wave of PROFOUND success!!!! Every album they Recorded (with the help of their Mentor and Friend, "Quincy Jones"), have gone Platinum, Platinum, Platinum, Platinum....But after "Q" Recorded "The Dude", "Quincy" decided to leave "A&M Records" and form his own Label, "Qwest Records"....With that, "A&M" legally BLOCKED "Q" from working with "The Brothers Johnson"....

OUCH!!!! That was SALTY!!!!

Well, with that being the case, "George" and "Louis" had to FORGE forward....I am sure though that they didn't just sit there idle and didn't watch how "Q" was Producing their Records...So, taking what they learned from "Q", "The Brothers" got to WORK, and Recorded, "Winners"....

In order for this to work, just like "Q", "George" and "Louis" called on the MANY Friends that they made over the years....But they also made some new Friends as well (will get to that in a moment)....

Starting in "Quincy Jones" fashion, "The Real Thing" is THE BOMB!!!!! The Groove is so inviting, but Danceable at the same time...There was RIGHTEOUS Keyboard help from "Mr. Keyboard Greg Phillinganes", TOUGH Drumming by "Rufus'" "John Robinson" and it was capped off by "Ernie Watts" on Saxophone...All these ELEMENT complimented "The Brothers" PERFECTLY!!!!

"Dancin' Free" continues the Dance Vibe...This JUMPIN' t showed that "The Brothers Johnson" BELONGED in the '80's...."Brother Johnson Band" member, "Ricky Heath" gets Lead Vocal duties on this one, while he gets Background Vocal help from, "Valerie Johnson" ("Louis'" Wife at the time) and "Lynn Davis", who came over from working with "George Duke"....There was also a NEW Friend to the fold..."Jeff Porcaro" (Co- Founded of "Toto") was on board to POUND some Drums....

The Music for "Sunlight" sounds PERFECT for the song....Again, another song that FITS the Title....This "Strollin' Down The Street" t almost puts me in the mindset of a sped up "Tomorrow" (from the groups "Look Out For #1" album)...The Keyboards and Synthesizers (played by "Jeff Lorber" and "David Paich") surrounds "George's" Vocals PERFECTLY!!!!! This brings about my "Isaac D. Body Sways"!!!!!

"Teaser" is a '80's FUNK t!!!! This keeps "The Brothers Johnson Sound" in THE POCKET!!!!! The "Louis Bass" HIGHLIGHTS the WHOLE t, while the "George Guitar" just SWIMS all over the Track....The "Jerry Hey" Arranged Horns is also the PERFECT FIT!!!!

"Caught Up" almost sounds like it came from "Quincy Jones", "Sounds Like That" album....This VERY NICE Melody has a NICE Drum foundation, while "Valerie Johnson's" Vocals just DANCES around the PERFECT "Brother Johnson" Arranged t.....

"In The Way" though....

BOY!!!! When I first heard the Keyboard HEAVY beginning on the Radio, I was sure it was "Toto"!!!!! But when I heard "George" come in on Vocals, I was FLOORED!!!! "Steve Porcaro" (who also Co-Founded "Toto") came along with "Jeff Porcaro", so there could be the PERFECT BLEND of a "Brother Johnson/Toto" t...This is THE BOMB!!!!!!

"I Want You" continued the "Brother Johnson/Toto" blended Vibe....The Vocal Interplay on this BADBOY (Shared by "George", "Louis", "Valerie" and "Richard") brings the "George Guitar" themed t straight character!!!!!

Ok, I see why EVERYONE loves "Do It For Love"....It has a VERY NICE Melody that is VERY Danceable....I see that "George" Played BOTH the Bass and Guitar on this one...When I first read that on my album, I thought I was seeing things...I don't think there was anything behind that, I just always thought that was interesting, that's all....

"Hot Mama" revisits the "Brother Johnson/Toto" Vibe...This has more of a "Rock" touch to it, which is COOL!!!! "The Brothers" Playing Guitars Side by Side, while the "Louis Bass" POPS all OVER THE PLACE, PRICELESS!!!!

"Daydreamer Dream" finishes the album, again on the "Brother Johnson/Toto" Vibe....Written by "Annie Herring" (who also GROOVES on Piano), brought her "Soft Folk and Rock" style to "The Brothers"...This was honestly a "Louis and Valerie" Vision though, with "Louis" on Guitar and Bass, and "Valerie" on Lead Vocals....Again, I read nothing into this, just interesting....

Well this one didn't go Platinum, but it is STILL an Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel....

Even though they did EXTREMELY well on their own, I do feel the Vibe slippin' just a bit without "Quincy Jones"...That's ok though, because "The Brothers Johnson" STILL had a lot left in the tank....With that being said, even though they were no longer hitting the top of the Charts, they were AT LEAST still able to get CRAZY Radio Airplay....

So even though not Platinum, 'Winners" STILL WINS!!!!!

Surprisingly good sonics! Definitely a good choice, especially considering the price you can find it for

'Do It For Love' is what sunny day joy sounds like. The Bros took what they learned from Q and perfected it on their own.

The first self-produced album by the Brothers. You will find a lot of the same great musicians here that you found on the Quincy-produced albums.
The standouts are "Dancin' Fee" & "Caught up", & "I want you" IMO.

"Caught up" is fantastic, and immediately makes me think of the Mizell Brothers in it's aesthetic approach.

3/5 of Toto is all over this album, which is always a good thing.