Blog of a Jazz Singer - Marc Courtney Johnson - WEB JOURNAL

Dusty groove America, is the antithesis of the cd section in the local Walmart. The staff are knowledgeable, all about customer service and their clientele are typically folk that take their music seriously.

At the Dusty Groove you will find obscure and beautiful music, especially in new and used Vinyl/CD Jazz, Experimental, Collectibles, Country, Hip-Hop, Electronic, Dance, Funk, Soul, Blues, Drum & Bass, House, Latin, Reggae, World, Techno, R&B, and Soundtrack music.

Rick Wojcik, the owner and founder who contacted me personally to request copies of my CD in his store reviews everything he stocks personally and founded Dusty Groove as a reseller of vinyl and an internet space long before selling over the internet became fashionable.

As is the custom, each CD cover is accompanied with a paragraph of text describing the CD in the words of the Dusty Groove owner, Rick Wojcik who personally reviews every CD that comes through his store. My paragraph reads:

"We're not normally ones to dig new jazz vocalists, but this guy's great! Marc Courtney Johnson hails from Chicago, and he's got a warmly flowing sound that recalls some of the recent genius from Chicagoan Kurt Elling -- but which also stretches back to 70s magic from Al Jarreau or George Benson. But even over and above all those well-placed references, Johnson's got a depth that goes even farther -- a willingness to stretch out on a tune, add in his own lyrics, and really improvise with his phrasing -- a truly "jazz" approach to jazz vocals, one that so many singers today seem to have forgotten about. The Dan Cray trio provides wonderful support for Marc on the set -- allowing for lively rhythms, long runs on the piano, and the right sort of energy to match Johnson's lyrically flowing style. Our favorite number on the album is Johnson's wonderful reworking of Bill Lee's "Nola's Song" from the She's Gotta Have It Soundtrack -- but all tracks are great, including the originals "To Be Free" and "You Make It Better" -- plus versions of "Invitation", "Until I Met You (Corner Pocket)", and "Lush Life".

Wow, the comparisons are humbling. It's a lot to live up to but I'll do my best.

Go to Dusty Groove here (I'm on page one this week) or
My location in the long list.