Howard Johnson was a popular name in the 1980s. To most people, it automatically brings up images of the value-priced hotel chain. If you’re a baseball fan (or a New Yorker) you’ll remember the Mets third baseman who helped them win the World Series in 1986.
If you’re a soul music aficionado, you might remember the Florida-based R&B singer who scored a Top 10 R&B/#1 dance smash with “So Fine” in 1982. Produced by Kashif in a similar style to Evelyn King’s “I’m In Love” (which had been a hit the previous summer and made waves as the first completely synthesized R&B chart-topper,) this track is everything that’s good about synth-funk. The rubbery bass groove, the quirky high-end accents, and a fantastic melody and vocal performance. The call and response in the bridge is awesome, too. “Hey fellas…what? Ain’t she fine?…she fine!!”
According to his AllMusic entry, Howard went on to work with The System and Jam & Lewis. I’ve gotta get my hands on some of that stuff. “So Fine” was, by far, his biggest hit.
This “Soul Train” clip isn’t properly synced, but dude had some moves, too. Check out the moonwalk towards the end of the performance, and be mindful of the fact that this was recorded a good 6 months to a year before Motown 25. Hmmm.
