Johnson comes from a musical household. After taking bass and tuba in high school band, she played with her father Howard Johnson in his band Gravity. She started performing at the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival in the late 80s/early 90s, sharing the stage with other young performers like Toshi Reagon. She has been all over the world performing in jazz, blues, pride and women’s festival from Paris to New Caledonia in the South Pacific. Her fifteen-plus years of musical experience shine through on this polished, self released second album due out in early May.

Witty and earnest, the songs on Nedra range from blues, jazz, and gospel to that hard-to-describe genre that is basically music to get it on to. It takes a lot of confidence and humor to pull off a tuba remix of a super-sexy song like track 5, “The World Could Stop Turning.” But Johnson does it with flair and doesn’t distract anything from the intent of the lyrics, which are basically about being really into that new woman.

“Anyway You Need Her” is a sweet revival diddy about Jesus being whoever you need them to be. It’ll put a spring in your step and a smile on your face when Johnson describes Her as a crunchy granola lesbian. Track 10, “Sprung”, showcases her urban jazz style with New Orleans influence--think Harry Connick Jr. blended into Jill Scott. The simple, tender lyrics, “it’s spring and I’m sprung/ now baby don’t get me wrong/ I love you anyway,” are a love letter shared with the listener.

Johnson derives inspiration from her political and spiritual beliefs, but what really shines on this album is the freshness, joy, and energy she is experiencing in her new relationship. As she put it, “I’m in love right now.” Without sounding cheesy or trite, Johnson may have created the most beautiful lesbian wedding song to date, “Forever With Me.” With just a lead guitar, simple percussion, and Nedra’s honeyed voice, this song is guaranteed become the matrimonial tearjerker for all the June brides. Appropriately enough, the track immediately preceding “Forever With Me” is about couples getting together and staying together. “Let Go” is as soothing as a lover running their fingers through your hair. Soft and low, the words in the chorus “It’s alright/let go and love me baby/have faith” capture the fluttering heart.

Track 6, “Michfest Blues” is not the nouveau hybrid blues done by White Stripes or R.L. Burnside. It is that deep, suggestive, way-back style, like Gwen Avery, Big Mama Thornton, or Pink Anderson would pluck out while hanging out on a sunny day. “Michfest Blues” is very traditional song with the twist of being about hooking up at the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival with that “girl that whooped that loving on me/ and I ain’t to proud to beg.” This song gives a nod to the real "old school" music, and it fits neatly with blues classics like “I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl” and “60 Minute Man.”

“New Boy Blues” has a fantastic horn section arranged by Nedra’s father Howard Johnson that is complimented by Bruce Whitcomb’s rolling piano pacing. This song is marvelous because Johnson takes somewhat risqué lyrical content and successfully composes musical backing that suits the subtle tone without overwhelming the words or disappearing into the background. It’s mixed like a perfect martini, crisp and a little naughty.

I love the upbeat, cheeky song “Prozac (So Fun Living, Not A Moment Dull).” Johnson’s slick ironic word play appears both optimistic and politically charged. The funky beat combined with naively cheerful mandolin strumming and whistling, that brings to mind Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” is clever, political and edgy without proclaiming an overt ‘message’.

Nedra should be available in early May, and Johnson is taking pre-orders so fans can get it hot off the burner. This is a fantastic CD and is sure to sell out, so don’t delay in ordering your copy.

For more information visit nedrajohnson.com