News

A hat tip to Record Racks (who are contributing a neat guest post later this week that I’m quite excited for) for passing this one along: Numero Group is prepping a box set due October 19 devoted to unjustly forgotten soul survivor Syl Johnson.

Johnson was a soul musician in the James Brown or Al Green mold. He toured with Magic Sam and Howlin’ Wolf, cut tracks for the Federal label (the same one that put out “Please, Please, Please,” James Brown’s first hit) and had a socially conscious Top 20 hit, “Is It Because I’m Black,” in 1969 (not to mention the 1975 Top 10 hit “Take Me to the River”). But major pop success and fame never seemed to shine down on him, although he’s been frequently sampled by contemporary rap acts (in particular his song “Different Strokes”).

Numero corrects this historical oversight with Complete Mythology, a four-CD, six-LP box set filled with early Syl classics – most of them for the Chicago local Twinight label – and a lavish essay by Bill Dahl. The first 350 pre-orders also get a bonus 7-inch single and a contact sheet signed by Johnson himself.

Have a go here to find out more about the set and hit the jump for the track list (with as much discographical info as we could find).

Syl Johnson, Complete Mythology (Numero Group, 2010)

Disc 1

1. Teardrops
2. They Who Love
3. I’ve Got Love
4. Lonely Man
5. I Need Love
6. His Gift
7. I’ve Got to Find My Baby
8. (She’s So Fine) I Just Gotta Make Her Mine
9. Little Sally Walker
10. I Resign from Your Love
11. I Wanna Know
12. Well Oh Well
13. Please Please Please
14. I’m Looking for My Baby
15. She’s Alright
16. I Know
17. A Half Love
18. I’ve Been Talked About
19. This Heart of Mine

Tracks 1-2 released as Federal single 12358, 1959
Tracks 3-4 released as Federal single 12374, 1960
Tracks 7-8 released as Federal single 12435, 1961
Tracks 9-10 released as Federal single 12454, 1962
Tracks 11-12 released as Federal single 12474, 1962
Tracks 13-14 released as Federal single 12476, 1962
Tracks 15-16 released as Cha Cha single 728, 196?

Disc 2

1. Falling in Love Again
2. I’ve Got to Get Over
3. Straight Love, No Chaser
4. Surrounded
5. Try Me (Single Version)
6. Half a Love
7. Do You Know What Love Is
8. The Love I Found in You
9. Do You Know What Love Is (Alternate Mix)
10. Things Ain’t Right
11. Come On Sock It to Me
12. Different Strokes
13. Sorry ‘Bout Dat
14. Ode to Soul Man
15. I’ll Take Those Skinny Legs
16. Send Me Some Lovin’
17. Soul Drippin’
18. Fox Hunting on the Weekend
19. Try Me
20. I Feel an Urge
21. I’ll Resign
22. Love Condition

Tracks 1-2 released as TMP-Ting single 115, 1965
Tracks 3-4 released as Zachron single 600, 1966
Tracks 5-6 released as Zachron single
Tracks 7-8 released as Special Agent single 200, 1967
Tracks 9-10 released as Special Agent single 201, 1967
Tracks 11 released on Twilight single 100, 1967
Tracks 12-13 released as Twilight single 103, 1967
Tracks 14-15 released as Twinight single 106, 1968
Tracks 16 and 21 released as Twinight single 107, 1968
Tracks 17-18 released on Dresses Too Short LP – Twinight 1001, 1969
Tracks 19-20 released as Twinight single 108, 1968

Disc 3

1. My Funky Band
2. Sockin’ Soul Power
3. Double Whammy (Abaccadaba)
4. Dresses Too Short
5. I Can Take Care of Business
6. Same Kind of Thing
7. I’ve Got the Real Thing
8. Take Me Back
9. I Can Take Care of Homework
10. Let Them Hang High
11. Don’t Give It Away
12. Going to the Shack
13. Is It Because I’m Black
14. Concrete Reservation
15. Together Forever
16. Come Together
17. Black Balloons
18. Walk a Mile in My Shoes
19. I’m Talkin’ ‘Bout Freedom
20. Right On
21. Everybody Needs Love

Tracks 4-5 released as Twinight single 110, 1968
Tracks 6-7 released on Dresses Too Short LP – Twinight 1001, 1969
Tracks 8-9 released as Twinight single 116, 1969
Tracks 10 and 13 released as Twinight single 125, 1969
Tracks 11-12 released as Twinight single 118, 1969
Tracks 14-15 released as Twinight single 129, 1970
Tracks 16-20 released on Is It Because I’m Black LP – Twinight 1002, 1970
Track 21 released as the B-side to Twinight single 155, 1972

Disc 4

1. One Way Ticket to Nowhere
2. Kiss by Kiss
3. Thank You Baby
4. We Do It Together
5. Try My Love
6. That’s Why
7. Get Ready
8. The Way You Do the Things You Do
9. Annie’s Got Hot Pants Power (Part 1)
10. Wouldn’t Change My Lady
11. All I Need is Someone Like You
12. Let’s Start All Over Again
13. Hot Pants Lady
14. Wiggle in Your Hips
15. Your Love is Good for Me
16. Trying to Get You
17. Soul Strokes
18. Hot Pants Annie Part 2
19. Soul Heaven

Tracks 1-2 released as Twinight single 134, 1970
Tracks 3-4 released as Twinight single 144, 1971
Track 6 released as the A-side to Twinight single 155, 1972
Track 7 released as the A-side to Twinight single 149, 1971
Track 9 released as the A-side to Twinight single 151, 1971