Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson (born 17 January 1956) is a British soul and gospel singer who established himself as a prominent figure in the UK music scene. His musical foundations were developed during the 1970s while living in New York, where he began singing in school and church. Upon returning to the United Kingdom, he worked with the London Community Gospel Choir and the pioneering contemporary gospel-funk group Paradise. Emerging from the Seventh-day Adventist tradition, Johnson gained recognition for a distinct high falsetto vocal delivery. This technical proficiency led to his recruitment as a lead vocalist for Paradise, with whom he featured on all three of the band’s studio albums. 

Career
A significant turning point in Johnson's career occurred upon meeting Junior Giscombe, leading to a role singing background vocals on the Red Wedge Tour. This involvement facilitated connections with prominent artists such as Paul Weller, Billy Bragg, The Smiths, The Blow Monkeys, and The Communards. Following this, he signed as a singer and songwriter to CBS Records. His 1987 self-titled debut featured the single "When Love Comes Calling," written and produced by Junior Giscombe. His 1989 follow-up, Personal, received critical acclaim in the jazz and soul press but saw limited commercial impact, charting for one week at number 10. 

Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Johnson was a prolific collaborator. He performed on numerous remixes for producer Danny D and provided vocals for acts including George Michael, Soul II Soul, Bryan Ferry, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, and Bluey Maunick of Incognito. Following an introduction by Juliet Roberts, he began a long-term association with M People, touring globally alongside vocalists Lynieve Austin and Sarah Brown. In 1994, he reached new audiences with "If We Lose Our Way," produced with IG Culture. He also served as a production co-ordinator, managing session singers and signing artist Shaun Escoffery to his own production company. While he began work on an album with DJ Dodge, the project remained unreleased.

Personal Life
In his personal life, Johnson has prioritised health and community involvement following his recovery from a heart attack at the age of 70. He is a proponent of physical well-being and maintains a consistent daily walking regimen. Though he previously held a leadership role at an inner-city college centre, he remains musically active within his local community in Aylesbury. He is known to participate in informal jam sessions and has appeared as a featured performer at prestigious venues such as Ronnie Scott’s and Sadler’s Wells Theatre, as well as events like the Warwick Folk Festival. 

Current Activities
Regarding his current professional status, Johnson continues to engage with his audience through digital platforms and community-centric live performances. He maintains an active presence in his dedicated social media groups to facilitate direct communication with his "PJ Family." At the time of writing, currently managed by his own independent interests, Johnson focuses on community music projects and the preservation of his archival recordings, including unreleased material from his sessions with DJ Dodge.