While I respect Michael Johnson’s effort of writing, producing and performing all twelve songs on The Servant Master on his own, I must admit, I have my difficulties with his album.
He did a fine job with Julie Dexter on her Conscious album. But we also had real instruments along the keys played by Michael on Conscious.
The Servant Master is not a bad album, but, alas, for me it’s not a great album either, because if you listen to the whole album from start to finish it starts to sound the same. Michael recorded this album with using keyboards and synthesizer only. Although the songs don’t sound sterile, they just lack the variety you get when you use a few instruments like acoustic guitar, bass, flute or sax every now and then. The album would be fine as an EP. But with twelve songs here this is a little too much of the same.
Favourite songs includes the funky groover Way To Let U Know and Don’t Fear that somehow reminds me of Ray Hayden’s Opaz. Also a winner is the hypnotic slow groove of All We Need and the epic title track, Servant Master, a fine downtempo song with 8+ minutes.
All in all a solid album that shows that Michael Johnson can write, produce and perform good songs, but that lacks some diversity in the instrumental department.

Tracklisting of Conscious: 1. Way To Let U Know/ 2. Own Way/ 3. Move On/ 4. Be My Woman/ 5. Do It/ 6. Keep Growin/ 7. Life Within the Light / 8. Believe What U Feel/ 9. Don’t Fear/ 10. All We Need/ 11. Be Free/ 12. Servantmaster | released 2004 by Murani Innertainment/Ketch A Vibe Records

For more infos visit muranimusic.com.

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