Syl Johnson

Singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer Syleena Johnson is the daughter of unsung soul and blues great Syl Johnson ("Different Strokes," "Is It Because I'm Black"). Born in Harvey, Illinois, she grew up listening to Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Tina Turner, the Dells, and Mavis Staples. She performed in local bands and sang in her church choir at Greater Christian Unity, and later worked in classical and gospel choirs as well as in jazz ensembles at Drake University and Illinois State University, where she majored in music.

Syleena Johnson (née Thompson born September 2, 1976, Harvey, Illinois, United States) is an American Grammy Award nominated R&B and soul singer-songwriter and actress.

Numerous compilations of '70s soul, funk, and fusion have been compiled in the name of blaxploitation throughout the years, whether or not all the inclusions were actually used in blaxploitation films (granted, just about everything from this era was fit for soundtrack use). Union Square's The Best of Blaxploitation retraces a lot of familiar steps, but it's not as if most of the similar preceding compilations have remained easy to find. It's three discs in length, so it's bound to plug some significant gaps for beginners and moderate fans, and it contains some concise and informative track-by-track notes…