This summer isn’t all about catching the Big Kahuna for surfer boy songster Jack Johnson. The cute laid back California boy is completing a new, bamboo-floored eco-friendly studio in LA for his label Brushfire Records and has recently begun work on his fifth full-length album, with plans to release it in early 2008.
The album is being produced by JP Plunier, who also worked on 2001’s hit debut Brushfire Fairytales, which featured personal and fan favorites “Sexy Lexi” and the somewhat oddly worded, yet jamming groove “Bubble Toes.” Long time band members Merlo Podewski and drummer Adam Topol are joining Johnson once again, along with new member Zach Gill on piano and accordion.
Johnson told Billboard ”I’m excited because the first record we did, we basically got the band together for that record. JP introduced me to Adam, and Adam knew Merlo. We went in and did the record in six days, and we hadn’t played live as a band. So it’s kind of exciting to get together with JP now that we’ve been playing for so many years.”
I think its exciting too, Jack, especially if it is anything like your previous albums. For those of you not familiar with his work it is a soulful, mellow blend of easy breezy surfer tunes. He released his first album in 2001 and followed it with 2003’s critically acclaimed On and On. In 2005 he released In Between Dreams, yet another winner. He has plenty of younger fans as well, being responsible for the soundtrack Johnson's Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George. It debuted at #1 on the on the Billboard charts and included guest appearances by G. Love, Harper, Costa, and Kawika Kahiapo.
If you don't want to listen through each album, make sure to hop on itunes and download "Bannana Pancakes," "Taylor," and "Bubble Toes," which should give you a pretty solid idea of his style.
Article comments
1 - Tim
Love him. Thank you!
2 - steven
just so you know, jack johnson isn't a calfornian. he's from hawaii.
get yo shit striaght
3 - jacob
also, it was "sexy plexi" not "sexi lexi"
4 - k
Sexy pexi && ya he's from hawaii duhh... NEW ALBUM COMING OUT IN FEB.!
5 - Bernadette
First, Jack is Hawaiian borned and went to college in California, so please get your stuff straight!
6 - Mara
Can someone please tell me AGAIN that he's from Hawaii? I didn't get it the first five times. Seriously though, I do thank you guys for reading and correcting, and I am not being bitchy here, just want to point out that I didn't say "California-born," just California. This does in fact makes sense since it in in the same sentence in which I mention he is building a new studio in LA. LA is in California and I am assuming he'll be wanting to use it. Anyways, there was the assumption. I guess I'll have to fire my fact checker.
And Sexi Plexi = typo.
7 - El Bicho
How is Zach Gill a new member? He played on "In Between Days" and has toured with JJ.
8 - Mara
When he toured it was with ALO. On "In Between Dreams," he played piano on "Good People" and "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing" and accordion on "Belle." He has recently become a full time member. Formally.