Johnny K

Florida artist Johnny K (Killens) is pretty much regarded as a funk artist. Some of his tracks like “I Got Bills To Pay” and “I Don't Need Help” are pretty good tracks in the genre while others such as “Screwdriver” are merely boring and repetitive. Sadly I wouldn’t even call Johnny’s AJP 45 soul – with some appalling guitar work it’s more rock than anything else. But to show that he was far more than a one trick pony you have to find the terminally rare Phono label single. While “Make The Night A Little Longer” is a strong southern beater that an enterprising DJ would do well to pick up on, his best cut by far from my point of view is the excellent blues ballad ListenDon’t You Believe. Johnny comes across both tender and intense on this track, backed by a big band full of fire, with a very fine guitarist. If only he made more records like this…

 


Discography

As JOHNNY K & THE DYNAMITES

I don't need help / Frenchy ~ DEEP CITY 2370 (1964)
ListenDon’t you believe / Make the nights a little longer ~ PHONO 101 (mid 60s?)

As JOHNNY K

Come out / A few precious moments ~ AJP 1514 (early 70s)
I got bills to pay / I’m afraid of the dark ~ DRIVE 6231 (1973)
I got bills to pay / Mama don’t allow no bumpin’ in here ~ BUDDAH 422 (1974)
Screwdriver / Inst ~ PIP 1002 (1974?)

As JOHNNY K & THE HOME BOY’S

Screwdriver / Home boy ~ DRIVE 6228 (1973)

Notes ~

1. The Johnny K on Demonair from 1988 sounds to be a completely different artist.

2. You can find "I don't need help" on the Numero CD "Eccentric Soul The Deep City Label" and "Frenchy" on the LP version of the set.

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