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Johnny Mathis was billed on his very first album as "A New Sound in Popular Song." In the decades since that 1956 debut, the vocalist has always explored new avenues in pop from Latin music to Philly soul. But the most adventurous of Mathis' 60-plus albums may be the one that got away...until now. On February 1, 2019, Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music will proudly present the first-ever standalone compact disc release of I Love My Lady, the remarkable 1981 album by two American treasures: Johnny Mathis and CHIC.
Beginning in December 1980 and continuing through February 1981, Johnny teamed up with the white-hot CHIC production and songwriting team of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, fresh off triumphant collaborations with artists including Sister Sledge and Diana Ross, for I Love My Lady. Recording at New York's Power Station, Mathis took his voice into new, uncharted territory on eight anthemic, club-ready track that pushed the envelope of rhythm and blues as they incorporated rock, funk, jazz, disco, soul, and dance rhythms. He was joined by a CHIC "Who's Who" for the sessions: Tony Thompson on drums; Raymond Jones, Andy Schwartz, and Rob Sabino on keyboards; and of course, Nile on guitar and Bernard on bass. Nile also arranged and conducted The CHIC Strings. Alfa Anderson, Fonzi Thornton, Luci Martin, and Michelle Cobbs brought their tight, distinctive vocal blend to support Johnny.
Despite the irresistible beats, incomparable vocals, and sleek production, the September 1981 release date of I Love My Lady came and went, and Columbia Records ultimately shelved the album. Yet its legend only grew as the years passed. In 2006, house music duo The Shapeshifters tantalizingly sampled a track from one song ("Love and Be Loved") while the full track remained in the vault. Finally, beginning in 2010, its songs began to trickle out on compilations, and in 2017, I Love My Lady was issued for the first time as part of a Mathis box set. It appeared on vinyl earlier this year.
For the occasion of its first standalone CD release, we've commissioned all-new cover artwork. The deluxe package, designed in period style by John Sellards, features a booklet rare photos of Johnny. Johnny Mathis, Alfa Anderson, and Fonzi Thornton have all contributed their reflections on the making of this very special album for the new liner notes by The Second Disc's Joe Marchese. Mike Piacentini has remastered at Sony's Battery Studios. A lost album no more, the powerfully rich and bold Love My Lady presents the eternal Voice of Romance and one of popular music's most enduring teams out on the town in the early 1980s, with sensuality and soul going hand-in-hand. It's Johnny Mathis as you've never heard him before.
Johnny Mathis, I Love My Lady (Second Disc Records/Real Gone Music, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD)
- Fall in Love (I Want To)
- It's Alright to Love Me
- Something to Sing About
- I Love My Lady
- Take Me
- Judy
- Stay with Me
- Love and Be Loved
Album originally scheduled as Columbia FC 37383, September 1981
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FINALLY!
Yes! Just popped it in tonight, coincidentally.
I hope he does some signed copies.
Where can I buy the CD. I would like some info on it loved this man for 60 years
Plus the # 6 song is Judy my name
Hi Judy, the CD is released on February 1. You can order it from Amazon by clicking on the links above. Hope you enjoy it!
What's up with the name font on the cover? It says "ohnny" without the J.
Uh...It's his autograph.
Well OK then. I like his music, but not up on all things "Ohnny" I guess.
His autograph is weird, but it's his I guess.
Weird, yea. But look closely, the partial that circles the "ohnny" is the way he signs his J. If you Google Johnny Mathis autograph you'll see many examples of his signature through the decades.
Wow this is great, but I was hoping there would be bonus tracks, remixes or something? Rick 🙂 I already bought the box set...
We understand, Rick. We felt this album deserved to reach a greater audience outside of those who purchased the box. While no additional material was available for our release, we have included a new, deluxe booklet with liner notes (including a new interview with Johnny!), full credits, rare photos, and more.
Yes, I put it in my cart...being a completest I am very tempted? Maybe something for 2019!! thanks!!
Hope you enjoy it! We’ve got a lot more planned for 2019, as well. 😃
Hi. Just tried the U.K. Amazon link and when I try to either check price or check availability, it states it’s not available to purchase. Can you please explain how British customers can buy it?
Hi Peter! It sometimes takes a bit longer for Amazon U.K. to accurately populate its links. The existing link should change soon to allow for pre-orders from Amazon. I would check back in a few days. We’ll also monitor the situation. Thanks for reaching out!
Thanks, Joe. Here’s hoping. I’ve had a ‘grey’ copy on CD for ages, but just can’t wait to buy an official release.
Having been familiar with the album for over 10 years (it was leaked back then on line), it still has an avant garde quality to it. This goes beyond it being Johnny Mathis as the singer and being recorded in early 1981.This album was even more progressive than what Rodgers & Edwards did with Diana Ross. "It's Alright To love Me" still sounds quite avant garde today. JM met the challenge of these songs very nicely.
I received my CD with autographed booklet yesterday. As a graphic designer, I am VERY, VERY impressed that you folks made the package look like an '80s Columbia CD, right down to the red text on the spine, the tray card art, and the black text on the CD's label side! I absolutely LOVE the attention to detail. Kudos to all of you, especially to art director and designer John Sellards!
I forgot to mention how the hype sticker is done in the style of the old black and orange CBS' "Nice Price" sticker. Very clever!
Kym, thank you so much for your kind words! On behalf of John and everybody who worked so hard to make this reissue something special, we send our profound gratitude. We're so glad you're enjoying it!
....My first EVER comment on this page (..I talk a LOT, so maybe, more to come!), but I just HAD to say.....BRAVURA, to this re-issue, and I was FLABBERGASTED to see that that the 'physical' CD, was designed to look like a first pressing Columbia CD! : 0
The red text on the spine, the 'Nice Price' hype sticker, the barcode on the white rectangular box on the back....WHY can't more re-issue companies see to that type of detail, for actual FANS that would notice!? I was even saying to myself, "...I wonder how's it going to look, spine wise, in my Johnny CD collection..."
....well, it can now go in front of "Best Of Johnny Mathis 1975-1980", and behind, "Friends In Love" ('82) with NO problem!
THANKS! ....Oh, the music's good too!! ; )
Rob, Thanks so much for so generously sharing your very kind words! They mean a lot to all of us involved with this release and its design. Please, tell all of your friends...and do come back! 🙂
Very late to the party on this one. I just received a sealed copy of this beautifully done out-of-print gem. On my second play and I am loving it. The music is great and as mentioned by other comments, the attention to detail in making this look like an early CBS/Columbia CD is terrific. Loving it.
I do have one criticism, and this is not your fault at the Second Disc or Real Gone Music, but is directed at Nile Rodgers. I have noticed over the last few years that he has been minimizing Bernard Edwards' contributions to the Chic Organization. When he was still with us, the credits on Chic productions always read "Written By, Arranged By, Conducted by Bernard Edwards And Nile Rodgers", right up to the last Chic album of the '80s, Believer. On this album, only the writing and production credits include Bernard (likely because legally that is a matter of record and royalties) while the arranging and conducting credits go to Nile alone. I highly doubt that would've been the case if the album had been released as planned in 1981. I've also seen several quotes from him over the last few years where he talks about how "he" did something when I know it was something "they" did. I realize that this isn't the end of the world, but it's a bad look for Mr. Rodgers and, for me, detracts from his legacy instead of adding to it.