Stupefied: The Donald Johnson Playlist

This week's Stupefied Playlist comes courtesy of A Certain Ratio's drummer, Donald Johnson, these days perhaps known better as DJ Dojo. For some background, I'll defer to the head of our Factory Records History Department, Professor John Cooper of Cerysmatic Factory. Take it away John:

Donald Johnson (or DoJo) is best known for being the funky drummer in Manchester band, A Certain Ratio, having joined their drummerless incarnation in August 1979 just after the release of their first single for Factory Records, 'All Night Party' (FAC 5). However, according to Mick Middles's excellent book From Joy Division to New Order: The Factory Story, DoJo's connections to the Factory family go back even earlier than that as he played in a band which was briefly called Lady with Vini Reilly who would later become the mainstay of avant garde classicists, The Durutti Column (stand by for Vini's playlist in coming weeks).

There is also a strong family musical tradition with Donald's brothers, Derek and Barry (who began their careers in soul band Sweet Sensation alongside the late great Marcel King), also going on to play in various Factory bands including Quando Quango and 52nd Street.

Donald's prowess on drums is undisputed, but throughout his career he has demonstrated many strings to his bow. Indeed, a popular feature of many A Certain Ratio gigs is him playing bass on 'Knife Slits Water' . You may also remember his "Liza with a Z" rap on 'Don't Drop Bombs' by Liza Minelli from her Pet Shop Boys-produced comeback album Results.

And there's his excellent production skills, often with New Order's Bernard Sumner under the BeMusic/DoJo moniker, for a variety of Factory acts including Quando Quango, Marcel King, 52nd Street, Surprize, Section 25, The Royal Family and The Poor, Kevin Hewick and Shark Vegas. By the way, Surpize's In Movimento album will soon be reissued by Factory Benelux.

These days, in between occasional ACR gigs, Donald might pop up for some Uncut Funk at a Manchester venue near you.

Follow Donald on Twitter 

and follow hashtags #FunkUpFriday and #FunkAcademy

Follow Donald on Spotify

A Certain Ratio - official website

Big thanks to both Donald & John at Cerysmatic!

Donald Johnson, left, with A Certain Ratio, in this great old Factory Record PR photo

01. ISLEY BROTHERS ~ Listen To the Music

02. COMMODORES ~ Machine Gun

03. DON BLACKMON ~ Hearts Desire

04. KOOL & THE GANG ~ More Funky Stuff

05. THE TIME ~ 777-9311

06. ROGER TROUTMAN ~ More Bounce To the Ounce

07. PRINCE ~ I Wanna Be Your Lover

08. PRINCE ~ Musicology (Live on the Jay Leno Show)

09. PRINCE ~ Release It

10. EARTH WIND & FIRE ~ Let's Groove Tonight

11. CAMEO ~ Candy

12. MCFADDEN & WHITEHEAD ~ Ain't No Stopping Us Now

13. TRYONE BRONSON ~ The Smurf

14. EDDIE KENDRICK'S ~ Keep On Trucking

15. O'JAYS ~ For The Love of Money

16. GRACE JONES ~ Slave To the Rhythm

17. GEORGE DUKE ~ Funkin' For the Thrill

18. THE JACKSON SISTERS ~ I Believe In Miracles

19. BOOTSY COLLINS ~ Jungle Bass

20. TOM BROWNE ~ Funkin' For Jamaica