Zone Magazine Issue 033 - Jan Johnson
In our feature interviews in this issue we talk to cover legendess vocalist and producer JAN JOHNSTON. A name that for Trance and Progressive fans simply means quality. Starting out in the early ‘90s with short-lived pop band JJ, her fortunes took an upward sweep working firstly with the King of Trance, BT on his ECSM album, and then Australian powerhouse Anthony Pappa (as Freefall) on breakthrough release ‘Skydive’. Signings to Perfecto, Universal and more has spread the Jan Johnson gospel and showcased not only her vocal talents, but also her song writing abilities. Soundtrack syncs and contributions to Grammy Award nominated albums as well as 4 solo albums and countless singles has kept this doyen of the scene at the top of her profession.
In our feature interviews in this issue we talk to cover legendess vocalist and producer JAN JOHNSTON. A name that for Trance and Progressive fans simply means quality. Starting out in the early ‘90s with short-lived pop band JJ, her fortunes took an upward sweep working firstly with the King of Trance, BT on his ECSM album, and then Australian powerhouse Anthony Pappa (as Freefall) on breakthrough release ‘Skydive’.
Signings to Perfecto, Universal and more has spread the Jan Johnson gospel and showcased not only her vocal talents, but also her song writing abilities. Soundtrack syncs and contributions to Grammy Award nominated albums as well as 4 solo albums and countless singles has kept this doyen of the scene at the top of her profession.
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John Creamer & Stephane K: Aural
Pleasure: Sexy House In The Mix
(2001)
This was a free mix, given away as a covermount
accompanying the December 2001 issue of Ministry
Magazine. What a great time to be a dance music fan, with
Ministry, Muzik, and Mixmag all issuing free CDs every
month. This mix is particularly emblematic of this sound,
rushed to completion amidst the chaos of the terrorist
attacks of 9/11. I always felt that the political uncertainty
and darkness of those times informed the tone of the music
at the time, and in retrospect it certainly seems like it was
a factor. Creamer & K helped to define the dark prog
sound, and this document is incredibly relistenable. KEY
DARK TRACKS: Way Out West "Intensify" (Peace Division
mix), Nat Monday "Waiting" (John Creamer & Stephane K
mix) - one of the best fucking tracks OF ALL TIME.
https://www.discogs.com/John-Creamer-Stephane-
K-Aural-Pleasure-Sexy-House-In-The-Mix/
release/51266
Quivver: Transport 5 (Kinetic, 2001)
I mean, just look at the damn cover. John
Graham came out throwing heat on his first ever mix
compilation. I always thought of this mix as a spiritual
companion to the Mark Shimmon CD reviewed above - they
share a track in common, came out around the same time,
and both are single-disc hammers of the dark prog sound.
KEY DARK TRACKS: Dark Driver "Re-Vision 2" (Mara's
Empire of Filth remix), John Creamer & Stephane K "I Love
You" (Hybrid mix).
https://www.discogs.com/Quivver-Transport-5/
release/64517
Anthony Pappa: Resolution (System
Recordings, 2002)
This is a compilation I slept on when it originally
came out, God knows why. There were so many of the L.A.
locals ("the prognoscenti", I called them) whose opinions I
didn't value who kept going on and on about
Resolution...maybe it was the oddball artwork, showing
Pappa in (yet another!) anorak. After one quick listen I
was quick to dismiss it. Coming back to it in 2020 I see
that I was...mistaken. Anthony Pappa's mix is amazing.
It's dark and heavy from jump, skillfully lightening things
up just perfectly with the swing of Lexicon Avenue, who
provide an original and a remix. KEY DARK TRACKS:
Shuffle Inc "Remember New York" (Lexicon Avenue House
Heads Remix), Digby & Oliver, "7 Stones", DJ Gogo
"Sayna"
https://www.discogs.com/Anthony-Pappa-
Resolution/release/79499
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