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Best Johnnie Taylor Albums: Top 10 Ranked

Johnnie Taylor Cover

๐ŸŽง Artist Spotlight

Johnnie Taylor

Dive deep into the essential discography of Johnnie Taylor. Explore the defining studio albums that shaped their legendary career.

โšก Key Highlights of Article

  • Comprehensive catalog ranking and acoustic evaluation across Johnnie Taylor’s definitive studio discography.
  • Cornerstone masterworks highlighted include Johnnie Taylor – Who’s Making Love, Johnnie Taylor – Eargasm, Johnnie Taylor – Wanted: One Soul Singer.
  • Deep dive into studio innovations, recording milestones, and personnel shifts.
  • Comparative pressing guide distinguishing original analog masterings from contemporary heavyweight reissues.
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๐Ÿ“‹ Vinyl Guide (10 Albums)Jump List โŒƒ

Johnnie Taylor was a towering figure in soul, blues, and R&B, blessed with a smooth voice and the swagger of a true showman. From his early days recording on Stax Records to his later funk-infused anthems on Columbia and Malaco, he consistently delivered unforgettable music. Finding his records on vinyl is a treat for any crate-digger looking to add serious groove to their collection.

To help you navigate his massive catalog, we have ranked his top ten studio albums from best to worst. Whether you are hunting for greasy Memphis soul or slick 1970s disco-funk, this guide covers the absolute essentials.

Essential Johnnie Taylor Albums Ranked

#1 Essential Pick

Johnnie Taylor โ€” Who’s Making Love

Label: Stax • Released: 1968

Johnnie Taylor โ€” Who’s Making Love

Label: Stax • Released: 1968

This masterpiece captures Taylor at the absolute peak of his Stax era, anchored by the iconic title track. The songwriting and Memphis backing band deliver a masterclass in gritty, sophisticated soul.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Who’s Making Love
โ™ซ I’m Not the Same Person
โ™ซ Hold On This Time
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Original US pressing on the yellow-and-blue Stax label is the gold standard for warm, punchy analog sound.
#2 Essential Pick

Johnnie Taylor โ€” Eargasm

Label: Columbia • Released: 1976

Johnnie Taylor โ€” Eargasm

Label: Columbia • Released: 1976

Featuring his massive crossover smash ‘Disco Lady,’ this album brilliantly bridges traditional soul with mid-70s dancefloor grooves. It ranks near the top for its polished production and unstoppable commercial appeal.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Disco Lady
โ™ซ Running Out of Lies
โ™ซ Please Don’t Stop (That Song from Playing)
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Original Columbia orange-label pressings are widely available and sound remarkably crisp and loud.
#3 Essential Pick

Johnnie Taylor โ€” Wanted: One Soul Singer

Label: Stax • Released: 1967

Johnnie Taylor โ€” Wanted: One Soul Singer

Label: Stax • Released: 1967

His debut studio album for Stax introduced the world to the ‘Philosopher of Soul’ with a raw, blues-soaked urgency. It is essential for fans of authentic late-60s Southern soul.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ I Got to Love Somebody’s Baby
โ™ซ Ain’t That Loving You
โ™ซ Just the One
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Look out for clean Mono or Stereo original pressings if you want that authentic Stax garage-studio warmth.
#4 Essential Pick

Johnnie Taylor โ€” Taylored in Silk

Label: Stax • Released: 1973

Johnnie Taylor โ€” Taylored in Silk

Label: Stax • Released: 1973

This album features the unforgettable heartbreak anthem ‘Jody’s Got Your Girl and Gone,’ showcasing Taylor’s incredible storytelling ability. The lush string arrangements elevate his signature soulful delivery.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ We’re Getting Careless With Our Love
โ™ซ I Believe In You (You Believe In Me)
โ™ซ Cheaper To Keep Her
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Original 1973 Stax pressings feature great dynamic range, though clean copies can take some hunting.
#5 Essential Pick

Johnnie Taylor โ€” Super Taylor

Label: Stax • Released: 1974

Johnnie Taylor โ€” Super Taylor

Label: Stax • Released: 1974

Coming right off his earlier triumphs, this record leans heavily into lush, cinematic soul with tight horn arrangements. It is a consistently entertaining listen from front to back.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ It’s September
โ™ซ Darling I Love You
โ™ซ Try Me Tonight
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Keep an eye out for clean Stax gatefold jackets in the used bins.
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#6 Essential Pick

Johnnie Taylor โ€” The Johnnie Taylor Philosophy Continues

Label: Stax • Released: 1969

Johnnie Taylor โ€” The Johnnie Taylor Philosophy Continues

Label: Stax • Released: 1969

A worthy follow-up to his commercial breakthroughs, blending deep soul ballads with upbeat Stax stompers. Taylor’s vocal confidence shines on every single track.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Testify (I Wonna)
โ™ซ Separation Line
โ™ซ Love Bones
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Stax stereo pressings from this era offer great instrument separation on a good turntable setup.
#7 Essential Pick

Johnnie Taylor โ€” Rated Extraordinaire

Label: Columbia • Released: 1977

Johnnie Taylor โ€” Rated Extraordinaire

Label: Columbia • Released: 1977

Building on the disco-soul formula of ‘Eargasm,’ this album delivers smooth late-70s R&B grooves. While slightly less groundbreaking than his Stax peak, it remains a thoroughly enjoyable spin.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Your Love Is Rated X
โ™ซ Disco 9000
โ™ซ Keep On Dancing
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Columbia’s standard 1970s vinyl formulas hold up well against surface noise if stored properly.
#8 Essential Pick

Johnnie Taylor โ€” One Step Beyond

Label: Stax • Released: 1970

Johnnie Taylor โ€” One Step Beyond

Label: Stax • Released: 1970

This record captures Taylor transitioning into the early 1970s soul landscape with style and grace. It features strong vocal performances even if the songwriting is slightly less iconic.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ I Am Somebody (Parts 1 & 2)
โ™ซ Time After Time
โ™ซ Party Life
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Original US pressings are fairly common and affordable for casual collectors.
#9 Essential Pick

Johnnie Taylor โ€” Good Love

Label: Malaco • Released: 1996

Johnnie Taylor โ€” Good Love

Label: Malaco • Released: 1996

A brilliant late-career resurgence for Taylor on the Malaco blues label, highlighted by the massive hit title track. It proves his voice remained remarkably powerful and soulful decades into his career.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Good Love
โ™ซ Last Two Dollars
โ™ซ Sending You a Kiss
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Original 90s vinyl pressings from Malaco are quite scarce, as CDs dominated the market during this era.
#10 Essential Pick

Johnnie Taylor โ€” Reflections

Label: Columbia • Released: 1977

Johnnie Taylor โ€” Reflections

Label: Columbia • Released: 1977

Closing out our list, this album offers pleasant late-70s R&B comfort, though it lacks the explosive energy of his absolute best work. Still, dedicated fans will find plenty of smooth cuts to enjoy.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Watermelon Man
โ™ซ Love Is Better
โ™ซ Galaxy
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Budget-friendly find in most vintage record shop bargain bins.
๐Ÿ“ฉ

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โ“ Frequently Asked Questions (Soul & Funk)

Q: What is Johnnie Taylor’s best-selling album?

His 1976 release ‘Eargasm’ stands as his biggest commercial triumph, largely propelled by the massive chart-topping success of the single ‘Disco Lady’.

Q: Which record label did Johnnie Taylor record his most famous soul classics for?

He recorded his most iconic and revered 1960s and early 1970s soul hits while signed to the legendary Memphis-based Stax Records.

Q: Are original Johnnie Taylor vinyl records expensive?

Most of his 1970s Columbia albums are very affordable and easy to find, while his earliest 1960s Stax pressings tend to command higher prices depending on condition.

Q: Did Johnnie Taylor continue recording later in his career?

Yes, he experienced a fantastic late-career renaissance during the 1990s recording Southern soul and blues albums for the Malaco Records label.

Vinyl Crate-Digging & Buying Guide

Hunting for Johnnie Taylor vinyl is a rewarding adventure that usually starts in the soul, blues, and R&B sections of your local record store. His 1960s Stax albums can command a higher price when found in clean, original pressing condition, but they are well worth the investment for their historical and musical value.

For budget-conscious crate-diggers, his mid-to-late 1970s Columbia releases are frequently found in great shape for just a few dollars. Always check the vinyl surface under a good light, as older soul records were often played heavily at parties and can show light groove wear.

Final Thoughts

Johnnie Taylor remains one of the smoothest and most versatile vocalists in the history of soul music. Grabbing a few of these essential studio albums on vinyl is the absolute best way to experience his timeless artistry. Drop the needle and let the good times roll!

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