A Taste of Honey

by A Taste of Honey

Overview

Because A Taste of Honey's first major hit, "Boogie Oogie Oogie," was a lighthearted, escapist piece of ear candy, rock critics of the late '70s didn't take the group seriously and tended to dismiss Janice Marie Johnson and Hazel Payne as producers' puppets. But they were far from that: In addition to being expressive singers, Johnson and Payne were talented, versatile musicians and songwriters. Anyone who gives this self-titled debut album a serious listen will quickly realize you can't lump Honey in with the type of disco acts that were, in fact, invented by producers or A&R teams. To the more knowledgeable listener, it's also apparent that A Taste of Honey has as much to do with soul and funk as it does with disco. Although "Boogie Oogie Oogie," which became one of the disco era's major anthems, is the gem that made this album sell over one million units in the U.S., it isn't the record's only highlight. Equally impressive are tracks that range from the gritty, funky "You" to the dreamy "Sky High" and the haunting "World Spin." Meanwhile, "You're in Good Hands" is a '60s-flavored soul ballad that should have been a hit (Honey didn't have a hit ballad until "Sukiyaki" in 1980). Produced by Fonce and Larry Mizell, A Taste of Honey is excellent from start to finish. ~ Alex Henderson

Product Details

Release Date:	07/25/2025
UPC:	0840460714570

Album Credits

Performance Credits

A Taste of Honey   Primary Artist
Wade Marcus   String Conductor
Janice Marie Johnson   Bass,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Hazel Payne   Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Donald R. Johnson   Drums,Vocals (Background)
Perry L. Kibble   Keyboards,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Sergio Reyes   Mixing
Ken Perry   Mastering
Colin Elliot   Logo Design
Alphonso Mizell   Composer
Larry Mizell   Arranger,Producer
Fonce Mizell   Arranger,Producer
Don Johnson   Composer
Wade Marcus   String Arrangements
John Luongo   Remixing
Rosenberg   Photography
Jim Nipar   Mixing
Tom Oliver   Engineer
A Taste of Honey   Arranger
Kevin Bartley   Transfers
Stuart West   Transcription
Steve Maslow   Engineer
Roy Kohara   Art Direction
Larkin Arnold   Executive Producer
Dick Zimmerman   Cover Photo
Janice Marie Johnson   Composer
Butch Lynch   Mixing
Hazel Payne   Composer
John Malone   Composer
Perry L. Kibble   Arranger,Composer,Production Assistant
Ken Anderson   Design
Wayne A. Dickson   Reissue Producer,Digital Remastering
Christian John Wikane   Research,Interviewer,Liner Notes,Associate Producer
Gil Jones   Engineer
Sean C. Lang   Research
Allan Barnes   Composer
Thurman Aldridge   Composer