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Verbal Penetration (Street Date: October 27, 2009)
File Under: Funk/Soul/Rock
Jesse Johnson—guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer—certainly an impressive set of credentials. With accomplishments including four solo LPs on A&M, four LPs with The Time, numerous Gold and Platinum LPs, numerous performances and recordings with top artists around the world, Jesse is an established artist.
Jesse was born in Rock Island, Illinois and was raised in East ST. Louis, Missouri. He started playing guitar when he was 15. He taught himself to play by listening to recordings of B.B. King, Lightning' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Mountain, Led Zeppelin, and Aerosmith to name a few.
Jesse became the guitarist in a band called Dealer, the house band of a biker hang out in Rock Island called the Yankee Clipper, where he was spotted by Morris Day who asked him to come to Minneapolis. There, Morris introduced him to Prince. Jesse's style of playing enticed Prince into starting an R&B band with rock & roll overtones. The Time was born.
Playing guitar in The Time allowed Jesse the opportunity to perform in front of audiences worldwide. It was during this time that he started developing his song writing abilities. Proving early on to be a hit songwriter by penning two of The Times biggest songs: "Jungle Love", "The Bird" and "Ice Cream Castles".
Jesse left The Time to pursue a solo career after finishing Purple Rain and The Time's Ice Cream Castles LP. He dove into producing and writing his first solo LP for A&M records, Jesse Johnson's Revue. His solo efforts proved to be another successful move. His first solo project produced three top ten singles, "Be Your Man", "Can You Help Me" and "I Want My Girl." Jesse Johnson's Revue soon became one of several Gold Records to decorate his walls.
His accomplishments do not go un-noticed. After the success of his first album, Jesse receives a call from the director of The Breakfast Club and is asked to write music for this blockbuster movie. Jesse shines through by writing one of this soundtrack's most dynamic tracks, "Heart To Hot To Hold". Another artist on her way, Janet Jackson, seeks Jesse's help for her first album where Jesse writes, produces, and performs the track, "Pretty Boy and Fast Girls"
Jesse does a few more movie soundtrack, Pretty In Pink, Another 48 Hours, A Time to Kill, White Men Can't Jump, Action Jackson and Graffiti Bridge. But now the itch to play guitar "live" is back. Jesse goes into the studio to write, produce and perform another solo album but with a different sound. Bare My Naked Soul is Jesse's Rock album that does exactly what the title implies. He digs deep, and once again produces an album that exposes him personally and professionally. The album has a R&B, Blues and Rock flavor, uniquely different from anything he has every done. "The listener's biggest faux pas will be attempting to label my music."
"War Babies" is a child abuse song. It's kind of like my life but more about mental abuse. Like when people leave their kids by themselves or say things that mess with their self-esteem when they're just babies. It's the kind of stuff that I went through and it's a reminder for me so that I don't make the same mistakes with my babies."
Jesse takes Bare My Naked Soul on the road debuting at the Troubadour in Los Angeles to a very receptive audience. They embrace the new sound and new look with rave reviews.
Jesse's reputation precedes him as hot, new artists approach him to produce songs for their next release. Jesse stepped away from life on the road to delve deeper into his producing talents. Working with acclaimed artists and producers like Chaka Khan, DJ Quik, Butch Cassidy, Floetry, Meetch Wells, Nat Dog, DJ Battlecat, XL and Flyte Tyme. Whether he is laying down a guitar track or bringing out something funky, he brings his talents into another generation.
Jesse's undying need to express himself through music returns to create his latest release, Verbal Penetration. This album, once again exposes Jesse's soul to the world by creating a truly timeless piece addressing issues that affect society today. This album is sometimes reminiscent of his past work. But with a new twist that is sure to please many a fan that fell in love with Jesse's style of music, guitar playing, and songwriting. Verbal Penetration will capture audiences ready for something new as well as thought provoking.
Jesse's continued fan support domestically and abroad will be the back bone of the success of this next era in his life. As we approach the end of the Bush administration the world needs a new, revolutionary sound to breath hope into their ears as we brace ourselves for the next President of the United States. Jesse is out to accomplish a worldwide embrace of his new music and his dynamic guitar playing that will last a lifetime.
http://www.jessejohnson.com/
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