click here to listen/buy Heather Johnson-Happiness
Her ethereal voice and expressive lyrics, are able to transcend boundaries and take dance music to a place that is calm, reflective and even healing.
Describing Dance Music as soulful may be an oxymoron to some, but in the case of singer/songwriter Heather Johnson, her ethereal voice and expressive lyrics, are able to transcend boundaries and take dance music to a place that is calm, reflective and even healing. Heather Johnson has blessed many dance tracks with her jazz-inspired vocals but her long awaited solo debut album titled Happiness, will evoke just that. Previously well known for her work as the female lead singer of future soul electronic band Ananda Project, alongside veteran dance music producer, Chris Brann, penned an array of enchanting dance floor hits thrusting the chanteuse into the international spotlight including: the hypnotic Breaking Down, Straight Magic (both from Ananda Project’s 2000 debut Release) and 2008’s euphoric anthem Kiss Kiss Kiss”, (from the group's acclaimed sophomore album Morning Light, King Street Sounds / Nite Grooves) and “Let Love Fly” from the follow-up Fire Flower album also signed to King Street/Nite Grooves.
She has received countless rave reviews for her passionate songs and heartfelt vocal performances, even inspiring one writer to exclaim that her songs “paint a calming and euphoric landscape in your mind… reminding us why emotional connection to music is what reaches our souls via our ears.” Several influential dance / electronic music innovators have also been elevated and “touched” by Johnson's sensorial sounds, often clamoring to remix her compositions, like Louie Vega, Joe Claussell, Blaze, Miguel Migs, Stuart Matthewman, Francois K., Kyoto Jazz Massive, Gilles Peterson, King Britt, Vikter Duplaix and Dego (of 4 Hero). Heather has also become a much sought-after background vocalist for artists like Mary J. Blige, Gerald Levert, Smokey Norville, Tamia, and Yolanda Adams performing in front of capacity crowds in New York, UK, Miami, Atlanta, Detroit, Nashville, Tokyo and more. This album is seeing many original productions, mainly those of frontman Chris Brann who also produced Heather’s stunning rendition of Sade cover, “Love Is Stronger Than Pride.” Also included are mixes by revered producers like Frankie Feliciano, Tomo Inoue, DJ Kawasaki as well as 2 BONUS remixed cuts that have gotten massive worldwide club and mixshow play: Rasmus Faber’s remix of “Washes Over Me” & DJ Spen (The Muthafunkaz) remix of “Under My Skin.” All in all, the pleasure one will get from listening to such aural delights more than justify the album’s name.
1. “Washes Over Me” (Ananda Project Original Mix)
Written by Heather Johnson & Chris Brann.
Produced, Arranged & Mixed by Chris Brann for Wamdue Music, Atlanta.
Keyboards: Chris Brann
Kissing U (ASCAP) / Wamdue Music (ASCAP) / King Grooves (ASCAP)
2. “Destination” (DJ Kawasaki Original Mix)
Written by Kaoru Kawasaki, Shota Hishiyama, Joseph Hale.
Produced by DJ KAWASAKI.
Beats, MPC3000: DJ KAWASAKI
Keyboards: Shota Hishiyama
Mixed by Tetsushi Mase (second-drip.com) @ café 2st
Published by Extra Freedom., Ltd.
DK8R Murzik (BMI) / King Grooves (ASCAP)
3. “Home” (Tomo Inoue Original Mix)
Written by Heather Johnson & Tomo Inoue.
Produced, Arranged & Mixed by Tomo Inoue.
Kissing U (ASCAP) / King Grooves (ASCAP)
4. “Happiness” (Ananda Project Original Mix)
Written by Heather Johnson, Chris Brann & Terrance Downs.
Produced, Arranged & Mixed by Chris Brann for Wamdue Music, Atlanta.
Keyboards: Chris Brann
Additional Vocals by Terrance Downs.
Kissing U (ASCAP) / Wamdue Music (ASCAP)
/ Kaye’s Dream (ASCAP) / King Grooves (ASCAP)
5. “Love Alive” (Feliciano Vocal Mix)
Written by Frankie Feliciano & Heather Johnson.
Produced & Mixed by Frankie Feliciano for Ricanstruction Label.
Kissing U (ASCAP) / Via Calero Music (ASCAP) / King Grooves (ASCAP)
6. “Million Miles” (Ananda Project Original Mix)
Written by Heather Johnson, Chris Brann & Julius Speed.
Produced, Arranged & Mixed by Chris Brann for Wamdue Music, Atlanta.
Keyboards: Julius Speed & Chris Brann
Kissing U (ASCAP) / Wamdue Music (ASCAP) / King Grooves (ASCAP)
Hobgoblin Music (BMI) / Nite Beat (BMI)
7. “Love Is Stronger Than Pride” (Ananda Project Album Edit)
Written by Sade Adu, Andrew Hale, & Stuart Matthewman.
Produced, Arranged & Mixed by Chris Brann for Wamdue Music, Atlanta.
Keyboards: Chris Brann
Guitar: Ede Wright
Published by Sony /ATV Songs LLC.
8. “Jazz (Sunday Morning)” (Ananda Project Original Mix)
Written by Heather Johnson, Chris Brann & Julius Speed.
Produced, Arranged & Mixed by Chris Brann for Wamdue Music, Atlanta.
Keyboards: Julius Speed & Chris Brann
Kissing U (ASCAP) / Wamdue Music (ASCAP) / King Grooves (ASCAP)
Hobgoblin Music (BMI) / Nite Beat (BMI)
9. “Under My Skin” (Ananda Project Album Version)
Written by Heather Johnson, Chris Brann & Cameron Lasswell.
Produced, Arranged & Mixed by Chris Brann for Wamdue Music.
Co-Produced by Cameron Lasswell.
Kissing U (ASCAP) / Wamdue Music (ASCAP) / King Grooves (ASCAP)
/ Zimba And Leika Music (BMI) / True Vibes (BMI)
10. “Who Knows” (Ananda Project Original Mix)
Written by Heather Johnson & Chris Brann.
Produced, Arranged & Mixed by Chris Brann for Wamdue Music, Atlanta.
Keyboards: Chris Brann
Kissing U (ASCAP) / Wamdue Music (ASCAP) / King Grooves (ASCAP)
Bonus Track:
11. “Washes Over Me” (Rasmus Faber Epic Vocal Mix)
Written by Heather Johnson & Chris Brann.
Produced by Chris Brann for Wamdue Music, Atlanta.
Remixed & Produced by Rasmus Faber for Farplane Productions.
Kissing U (ASCAP) / Wamdue Music (ASCAP) / King Grooves (ASCAP)
12. “Under My Skin” (MF Rebirth Remix)
Written by Heather Johnson, Chris Brann & Cameron Lasswell.
Produced by Chris Brann.
Co-Produced by Cameron Lasswell.
Remixed & Reproduced by DJ Spen & The MuthaFunkaz.
Keyboards by Gary Hudgins.
Guitar Solo by Allen Thomas.
Additional Keys by Irvin Madden.
Rhythm Tracks by DJ Spen.
Kissing U (ASCAP) / Wamdue Music (ASCAP) / King Grooves (ASCAP)
/ Zimba And Leika Music (BMI) / True Vibes (BMI)
Heather Johnson would like to thank:
Mummie, Daddy, Grandma & Grandpa, Aunt Deannie, Aunt Christal, Janiro,The Browns, Sherrie Merchant, Fati, Brandi Shelton, Maritza, Burt, Woody, Lesley Lymburner, Patrick, Eshane, Tosin, Mini, Ducan, Corwin, Jason Orr, Robert Jones, Jason Sylvain, John Beal, Krystia Stokes, Hisa, Chris Brann, Orange Room Studios, Tomo, DJ Kawasaki, Shoji, Franki Feliciano, Joe Clauselle, Eddie Wright, Marta, Kyle Williams, Julius Speed, Terrance Downs, Al Smith, Gealle, Craig, Joe,Terrence Shelton, George Prothro, James Boston, Alex Latimore, Merna & Rasmus Faber
This album is dedicated to: Edna D. Nelson Ridgley, Alfred Sandy Ridgley, James Thomas Brown Jr., & The Higher Power of Music.
If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans...Woody Allen