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After enjoying success and platinum discs with hip hop french band Saïan Supa Crew (Source/EMI) in the early 2000s, Sly Johnson signed as a solo artist with Universal Jazz and made the kind of lavish album every soul singer dreams of (it was called 74; released in 2010, produced by Jay Newland, arranged by Larry Gold, accompanied in the studio by virtuoso US musicians, and nominated for the 2011 french award « Prix Constantin »). He’s now releasing his new album on the independent Parisian label Heavenly Sweetness (Anthony Joseph, Guts, Blundetto,…).

The intro of the new album gives a reminder that Sly Johnson is also known as Sly the Mic Buddah, a tempestuous vocalist who sings as well as he raps and does the human beatbox. #THEMICBUDDAHLP was designed as an authentic album, an LP with a beginning and an end, not just a list of individual tracks. The first track is a sure-fire dancefloor hit, all funk flirting with pop and disco (“Lifeizgood”). The relentless first single, EVRBDD (Everybody Dancin’) is a celebration, a liberating experience of music and dance.

His partner, the multi-instrumentalist producer Romain Dilouya says « Experimenting’s easy with Sly because he’s a real musician, not just a singer. His voice is his instrument. He catches on to arrangements fast, and he instinctively knows how to tackle one track or the other.” These same qualities have earned him the respect of many other musicians over the years, including Camille, Grace, Oxmo Puccino, Erik Truffaz, Rokia Traoré, Juliette Gréco, Dudley Perkins and Manu Katché. In 2015 you’ll also be able to hear him on albums by the French singer Raphael, on Synapson’s house music and on several tracks for Jacky Terrasson’s forthcoming project (he’ll also join Terrasson’s band for this year’s major festivals such as Vienna and the Montreux Jazz Festival). Of course, he’ll mainly be on tour with his own group to spread the new energy that courses through #THEMICBUDDAHLP. “I’ve never been so desperate to get out there on stage!” he confirms, smiling broadly. After all these major stops and encounters, 2015 should welcome him with open arms.

Welcome to the official page of Soul/Hip-Hop artist Sly Johnson A.K.A. TAGi !

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