Performer Notes

Personnel includes: Syleena Johnson, Liberty City Fla. (vocals); Bob Power (various instruments); JK (acoustic & electric guitars, programming); Donnie Lyle (guitar, bass); Randy Bowland, Buddy Guy (guitar); Roger Rosnberg (baritone saxophone); Andy Snitzer (saxophone); Jim Hynes (trumpet); David Fleming (keyboards, programming); Kendall Nesbitt, James Poyser, Robbie Kondor, Andy Ezrin (keyboards); Timmy Allen, TM Stevens (bass); Daniel Sadownick (congas, shaker, percussion, chimes); Donald Edwards, Bashiri Johnson, Ralph Rolle (percussion); Ian Mereness (programming).
Producers include: Bob Power, R. Kelly, Timmy Allen, JK, David Fleming.
Engineers include: Abel Garibaldi, Jon Smeltz, Chris Trevett.
Personnel: Donnie Lyle, Randy Bowland, Buddy Guy (guitar); Andy Snitzer (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Roger Rosenberg (baritone saxophone); Jim Hynes (trumpet); David Flemming (keyboards, programming); James Poyser, Robbie Kondor, Andy Ezrin, Bob Power (keyboards); Daniel Sadownick (congas, shaker, percussion, chimes); Donald Edwards, Bashiri Johnson (percussion); Andy Gallas, Ian Mereness (programming).
Audio Mixers: Chris Trevett; David Flemming; Peter Mokran; R. Kelly; Bob Power.
Recording information: Axis Studios, New York, NY; Battery Studios, Chicago IL; Battery Studios, New York, NY; JK Music, New York, NY; Rock Land Studios, Chciago IL; Sigma Sound, Philadelphia, PA; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY; The Studio, Philadelphia, PA; TMF Studios, New York, NY.
Arrangers: R. Kelly; Bob Power.
Ignoring the burden of being the offspring of a famous musical talent (that would be father and R&B legend Syl Johnson), Syleena Johnson makes an impressive splash with her debut CHAPTER 1: LOVE, PAIN & FORGIVENESS. Despite only being 25, Johnson is an old soul whose first full-length is an impressively crafted semi-autobiographical story of a young woman and the ups and downs of a May/December relationship that eventually leads to her becoming an older and wiser survivor.
Aside from the first hit single "I Am Your Woman," (written and produced by fellow Chicago native R. Kelly), this talented singer-songwriter penned all of CHAPTER 1. A vocalist with a tone falling between Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan, Johnson confidently touches on salient topics like infidelity ("Ain't No Love"), domestic abuse ("Hit On Me"), and the need for healing and forgiveness ("The End [Outro]"), amidst slow rolling rhythms, wah-wah guitar and staccato beats. Other highlights include the ominous "He's Gonna Do You In" (featuring swirling background vocals and biting Buddy Guy guitar solos) and the low-key funk of "You Got Me Spinnin'. Johnson's stellar debut promises to be the first chapter of a long and productive career.

Professional Reviews

Entertainment Weekly (6/01/01, pp.90-1) - "...Belting out soulful tales of woe with equal parts bitterness and indomitability on [this] powerful debut..." - Rating: B+

Q (5/01, p.112) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A highly autobiographical, cathartic narrative of a souring affair with an older man, produced by D'Angelo and Erykah Badu collaborator, Bob Power....promising stuff..."

Vibe (6/01, p.156) - 4.5 discs out of 5 - "...With an authoritative, wise alto topped by a hot-grease crackle, Johnson poignantly chronicles relationship issues....[Her] chillingly vivid delivery makes her seem like a willful survivor recounting the stories of her scars."

Album: Chapter 1: Love, Pain & Forgiveness
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Beginning, The (Intro)
2)	I Am Your Woman
3)	You Said - (Fla., featuring Liberty City)
4)	Baby I'm So Confused
5)	Meanwhile... (Interlude)
6)	Everybody Wants Something
7)	You Got Me Spinnin'
8)	Hit on Me
9)	And Then... (Interlude)
10)	He's Gonna Do You In - (featuring Buddy Guy)
11)	You Ain't Right
12)	Ain't No Love
13)	One Day
14)	I'd Rather Be Wrong
15)	All of Me
16)	End, The (Outro)

Album: Chapter 1: Love, Pain & Forgiveness
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Beginning, The (Intro)
2)	I Am Your Woman
3)	You Said - (Fla., featuring Liberty City)
4)	Baby I'm So Confused
5)	Meanwhile... (Interlude)
6)	Everybody Wants Something
7)	You Got Me Spinnin'
8)	Hit on Me
9)	And Then... (Interlude)
10)	He's Gonna Do You In - (featuring Buddy Guy)
11)	You Ain't Right
12)	Ain't No Love
13)	One Day
14)	I'd Rather Be Wrong
15)	All of Me
16)	End, The (Outro)