Right-On / Soul Perception

Released in 1969 on the Revue label, Right-On by the Harold Johnson Sextet emerged during a period when the soul-jazz genre was heavily influenced by the growing cultural visibility of R&B and funk. Revue, a subsidiary of MCA, functioned as a platform for artists blending traditional jazz sensibilities with the more accessible, danceable rhythms capturing the attention of late-sixties audiences. The album serves as a snapshot of this crossover era, where instrumental prowess was increasingly packaged for the emerging soul market.

The album is noted for its smooth, polished production that emphasizes tight arrangements and the interplay between Johnson’s keyboard work and the brass section. While the sextet sought to bridge the gap between hard bop and the contemporary soul charts, the record remains a cult favorite among crate-diggers and record collectors who value the intersection of sophisticated jazz composition and late-sixties groove aesthetics. Its reception was largely confined to specialized jazz and soul circles, contributing to its status as a sought-after rarity in the years following its initial limited distribution.