Brothers Johnson Light Up The Night CD

Light Up the Night marked the end of an era for the Brothers Johnson -- it was the last of four albums that Quincy Jones produced for the Los Angeles siblings, and it was the last time a Brothers Johnson album was truly excellent instead of merely decent. When Jones was producing the Brothers Johnson's albums from 1976-1980, he gave them something their subsequent albums lacked -- consistency. Even though George and Lewis Johnson recorded some decent material after Light Up the Night, none of their post-Jones albums had the type of consistency that Jones gives this 1980 release. The album gets off to an impressive start with the major hit "Stomp!" (a definitive example of the smooth, sleek brand of funk that was termed sophisticated funk in the late '70s and early '80s), and the tracks that follow are equally memorable. From the sleek sophisti-funk of "You Make Me Wanna Wiggle," "This Had to Be" (which was co-written by Michael Jackson and employs him as a background vocalist), and the title song to the tender R&B/pop ballads "Treasure" and "All About the Heaven," Light Up the Night is without a dull moment. ~ Alex Henderson

Audio Mixer: Bruce Swedien.

Audio Remasterer: Dave Collins .

Recording information: A&M, Los Angeles, CA; Allen Zentz Recording, Hollywood, CA; Kendun Recorders, Burbank, CA.

Illustrator: Kurt Triffet.

Photographer: Glenn Wexler.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Paulinho Da Costa; The Brothers Johnson.

The Brothers Johnson: George "Lightnin' Licks" Johnson, Louis "Thunder Thumbs" Johnson.

Personnel: Louis Johnson (vocals, guitar, piano, synthesizer, background vocals); George Johnson (vocals, guitar, background vocals); Alex Weir, Richard Heath (vocals, background vocals); Kim Hutchcroft (flute, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Larry Williams (flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, synthesizer); Jerry Hey (trumpet, flugelhorn, French horn); Gary Grant (trumpet, flugelhorn); Bill Reichenbach Jr. (trumpet, trombone, euphonium); Greg Phillinganes (piano, electric piano, synthesizer); Rod Temperton (electric piano); Steve Porcaro (synthesizer, programming); John "J.R." Robinson (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Susaye Greene Brown, Jim Gilstrap, Josie James, Merry Clayton, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Scherrie Payne, Valerie Johnson, Augie Johnson (background vocals).