Janice Marie-Johnson (A Taste of Honey)
Courtesy of Janice Marie Johnson FB
An engineer left the tape rolling during a pre-session warm-up, and recorded the bass break that afforded Janice Marie Johnson renown as the sultry slap and pop diva on the dance classic “Boogie Oogie Oogie”
“Boogie Oogie Oogie” https://youtu.be/PhD58dP9kq8
A versatile singer, composer, bassist, Janice anchored disco / contemporary R&B ensemble A Taste of Honey (1978 Best New Artist Grammy) for a few platters and singles, most notably the aforementioned anthem and hits such as “Do It Good,” and “Sukiyaki.” Far from a one-trick disco pony, Janice and TOH were a dexterous collective, traversing soul, funk, traditional ballads, MOR, rock, and permutations thereof.
Raised in a musical family, Janice started her career as a jazz singer in her native Los Angeles. She gravitated to the instrument as a college student – and was a natural. Given her dexterity on the instrument, Janice is the consummate song player – every note counts, and serves the melody and groove. She’s been photographed with a variety of instruments, however KYBP digs Janice with her vintage Fender Jazz basses!
Janice Marie Johnson FB
Following A Taste Of Honey’s initial commercial decline, she waxed a fine slab in 1984 aptly titled One Taste of Honey. Janice is still on the bandstand, slappin’…poppin’…singin’…tearin’ it up!
“Do It Good” https://youtu.be/PhD58dP9kq8
“Sukiyaki” https://youtu.be/xqFkUNqBwMw
“Rescue Me” https://youtu.be/8yKUHb38liY
“Last Chance Romeo” https://youtu.be/xpoHtlnc4DY
Courtesy Janice Marie Johnson FB