About the Artist

Johnnie Taylor (1934–2000) was one of the most versatile and enduring voices in American soul music. Born in Crawfordville, Arkansas, Taylor came up singing gospel alongside Sam Cooke in the Soul Stirrers before making the leap to secular R&B. He signed with Stax Records in the mid-1960s and became one of the label's biggest stars, delivering a string of gritty, blues-drenched soul hits including Who's Making Love (1968), which sold over two million copies and cemented his reputation as a master storyteller with a gift for earthy, relatable themes.

Taylor's smooth baritone and charismatic delivery earned him the nickname "The Philosopher of Soul." He navigated the shifting tides of R&B with remarkable ease — from deep Southern soul to funk to disco — and in 1976 scored one of the biggest hits of the era with Disco Lady on Columbia Records, the first single ever certified platinum by the RIAA.

About the Album

Ever Ready was released in 1978 on Columbia Records (Catalog: PC 35340). Coming off the massive commercial success of Eargasm and Rated Extraordinaire, Taylor continued his winning collaboration with producer Don Davis, who had a knack for blending lush orchestration with hard-hitting funk grooves. Ever Ready captures Taylor at the height of his late-1970s commercial peak — polished enough for radio, but with enough grit and soul to satisfy longtime fans. The album reflects the disco-funk crossover sound that dominated Black radio in 1978, while Taylor's vocals remain unmistakably rooted in the church and the blues.

Condition

Vinyl: VG — Carefully cleaned with a Spin-Clean record washer and stored in a new protective plastic sleeve. The record plays flawlessly on a quality turntable with no skips. Minor scuffs are visible under direct light; minor pops and crackles were noted during playback, consistent with the grade.

Jacket: Good— Shows ring wear and a rip beginning at the top seam, as pictured. Original inner sleeve is included.

All condition details are accurately represented. Photos show actual item.