Rhythm'n'Roll by Sam Johnson

com/samjohnson/rhythmnroll

iTunes - http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=66628050

8. Moving Sidewalk - for fans of Talking Heads, Police, Pink Floyd

3. So Far From Heaven - pop-rock ballad

6. The Suburbs - sounds like John Fogerty (Creedance Clearwater Revival) rapping that bayou funk, Big & Rich, Cowboy Troy

9. Little Pink Book - a rock-a-billy tune

7. Happy Being Bored - for fans of Trace Adkins, Tobey Keith - new country

11. As Far As The Eye Can See - somewhere between southern rock and pop-rock with a environmentally conscious attitude

5. Get The Funk Out of D.C. - dance/funk

4. Vitamin U - jazz dance rock

1. Just Before I Fell In Love - smooth jazz funk

2. Have to Love You - hip-hop/funk

10. The Only Way - reggae-jazz rock

12. Crunk Funk - crunk, go-go

Hear the whole CD at http://www.rhapsody.com/samjohnson/rhythmnroll

iTunes - http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=66628050

I call my music Rhythm'n'Roll taking the name from the "rhythm" in rhythm and blues and the "roll" in rock'n'roll. Though Rhythm'n'Roll reflects my love of both R&B and Rock, each of my songs is often a mix of musical styles.

My musical styles range from rock-a-billy to crunk, so Rhythm'n'Roll serves as a popular musical history lesson for some and reminder to others, great for the whole family.

"Crunk Funk (Aw, Girl)" is the most urban contemporary sound of Rhythm'n'Roll. I rap about being rejected and underestimated by the object of my affections, but get my revenge in a "how do you like me now" manner. "Crunk Funk" is one of two rap songs.

The other rap song is the hip-hop / country / rock amalgamation "The Suburbs", about maintaining pride in my rural roots even though I now live just outside the big city.

I sing the remaining ten songs in a tenor voice that swoops high and reaches "Elvira" low notes on the modern country couch potato anthem "Happy Being Bored". Sometimes, what looks like a rut to others is exactly where you want to be.

Though my lead vocals are often laid back, the backing vocals, also all performed by me, are intense and add color and nuance to each song's message. Particularly unique are the odd interval backing vocals on "Vitamin U", the dance rock number that compares missing your significant other to a vitamin deficiency.

"Have To Love You" makes effective use of whispering to get across the almost obsessive, but indefinite nature of a new romance, driven along by a hip-hop beat, gospelly piano chords and pop piano lead lines.

"Just Before I Fell In Love"'s chorus is a melodic vocal play on the title, and expresses that love trumps success everytime for the true romantic.

Also unique among the song set is the almost pop classical vocal on "So Far From Heaven". The song sets only ballad is for when you can't admit to your friends that it's over, because there's always hope...

Playful bravado describes the performance admonishing all to "Get The Funk Out of D.C.", "and into your part of the country."

Even more playful is the almost jazzy vocal over a rollicking bass on the complications of relationships reggae-rock tune "The Only Way", where you never quite learn the only way to my heart.

All is well on the straight ahead rock vocal that lays out how generations come and go, most never at peace with father time or the land, but how achieving this state is the secret to contentment on "As Far As the Eye Can See".

But even if you stand still, we're all on a "Moving Sidewalk", reflecting the expanding galaxy theory. Here, my voice is the most heavily effected on the album. Lead and background vocals are distorted and phased, respectively. But nothing stops the relentless 80's rock groove, emulating the moving sidewalk.

The rock-a-billy tune is "Little Pink Book". The protagonist is just happy to be in his woman's little pink book. He's hopeless to understand women's issues. The lead vocal is layered and thick with bright, radio backing voices.

Whether you're a rocker who wouldn't be caught dead buying a new slick R&B release or twangy country album. If you're a hip-hop head who chills out to pop classical between banging the latest beats. Or if you'd just like to get a little rap without worrying about picking up the explicit version instead of the clean one. Grab some Rhythm'n'Roll and give a listen to each full song. You can always say you checked it out for the beats or the screaming guitars or whatever. No one has to know, it was a little bit of everything you always wanted.

Average Customer Review: