Urbano

JOHNTA AUSTIN "The One That Got Away" (Island/DefJam) His name is already familiar to record buyers who make note of the song writing credits on major hit records by such superstar artists as Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige. Music industry insiders know him as the Grammy-winning 'go-to' writer which is why the legendary Whitney Houston, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, global multi-platinum artist Usher and hitmaker Chris Brown have tracks on new projects by this unassuming Atlanta native. While he may have spent the last eight years behind the scenes, that's all about to change with the 2008 release of Johnta Austin's much-awaited debut album, OCEAN DRIVE. Signed to super-producer Jermaine Dupri's So So Def label, Johnta (pronounced "John-tay") Austin is stepping out front with a first record that is reminiscent of the finely-crafted work of such soulful icons as Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross and in more recent times, Babyface. For, like all three, Johnta brings the skill of his honed penmanship to his work as a recording artist. Indeed, if Gaye - one of Johnta's musical influences - were around today cutting his ground-breaking "Let's Get It On" album, it might sound a little like Austin's auspicious debut in terms of lyrical content, smooth'n'sexy vocals and masterful production. OCEAN DRIVE, the bulk of which was produced by Dupri with songs written by Dupri and Austin, is, in the words of the artist himself, "classy, sexy, fresh, which is what you think of when you think of Miami's Ocean Drive." That he succeeds is self-evident for OCEAN DRIVE is indeed a soulful showcase for Johnta who says it simply: "Subject matter is key to a good song. You have to talk about things that people can relate to. And as far as singing gooes, I try to sing with a lot of emotion," he says. Those words could easily be quotes from the late Mr. Gaye: rather, they are the words of Johnta Austin, a multi-talented artist who's bring that 'old school' feeling to today's music scene, full on.