Total Explosion

By the time Syl Johnson put out his ‘Total Explosion’ album in 1976, disco was fast taking over black music, but this is pure, unadulterated, countryfied Southern soul, the addition of some funky clavinet and occasional wah wah guitar the only concessions to the changing times. It’s extremely funky, with Johnson’s harmonica giving it a still more down-home feel. Swimming against the musical tide, ‘Total Explosion’ was an out of time album, but is a great example of gutsy, bluesy, late-period Southern soul.