Robert Erskine Johnson is the CEO of Soul Records LLC., and Erskine Entertainment LLC. He is also the President and founder of Mighty Works Media. Born in Moorestown NJ and raised in Camden NJ he attended Rowan University and Seton Hall School of Law. He is a writer and producer of records, motion picture films and television. A Bar Association member and formerly a model/actor, professional boxer, special agent, school teacher and Co-founder of the MacDad Records Corporation. Produced artist such as City Brown, It Must Be Love, and The Twilight Band, Put Your Trust In Me. Robert is currently one of the producers for the new Chase Street television series. He also plays the judge in Chase Street where all of the attorneys in the series are actual attorneys. He is also the writer and producer of the upcoming movie Black Caesar where he is playing gangster Frank Mathews.
FMM: Tell Us about Soul Records LLC.
Soul Records LLC, is a historical, legendary Landmark Records label that was initially created by Berry Gordy in 1964 as part of the Motown Records Corporation In Detroit Michigan known as the motor city. Many Motown Recording artists recorded on Soul Records and not on Motown Records. Soul Records once recorded artists such as Gladys Knight and The Pips who had a hit ” I Heard It Through The Grapevine” on Soul Records. There was Jr. Walker and The All Stars who recorded ” Shotgun” which was also a hit dance during the late 1960’s. There was Billy Proctor, Jimmy Ruffin, Frances Nero, Popcorn Willie, Major Lance and The Fantastic Four who recorded “The Whole World Is a Stage.” Shorty Long recorded “Here Comes The Judge,” while Marvin Gaye and Anna Gordy wrote and produced “Baby I’m For Real” by the Originals all on Soul Records. Earl Van Dyke and The Motown Brass recorded on Soul Records. The Motown Brass was the foundation of the Funk Brothers who played the background music and beats for every Motown Artist… Motown songwriters and producers such as Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Holland, Dozier and Holland were constantly writing and producing hit songs for Soul Record’s recording artists. In 1965 Frank Wilson recorded ” Do I Love You Indeed I do) on Soul Records. That record has been the most expensive Motown Vinyl record ever sold. One of Frank Wilson’s vinyl “Do I Love You (Indeed I Do” was sold in 1998 for $22,000.00 today in Europe one has been sold for $100,000.00.
FMM: What do you look for in an artist?
What I look for in an artist is their creativity and ability to shine. Creativity to be unique and stand out from the rest. Songwriters and singers must present a forum that will make people listen. And the music must have a message in it. Something people will understand and relate to. What I enjoy most is when my writing team and artists come together and create a masterpiece. Ricky Style recently wrote two songs for our singer Yulia that are masterpieces and soon to be released.
FMM: Tell us about your artist, Mark Stinger who had once been nominated for a best new artist Grammy.
Mark Stinger is a super talented performer. I say performer not just because he is a great songwriter, singer, and actor. But Mark Stinger is a performer and once you see the Mark Stinger Band perform live you will know exactly what I mean. Mark has done the Blues Brothers tour tribute in the past and was once nominated for a Grammy Best new artist category for recording “Flyin South” on ” Still Cookin.” As an actor Mark Stinger have played in Invincible, Rocky Balboa, Law Abiding Citizen, Silver Linings Playbook, Creed one and Two, Nomads, 21 Bridges and more.. Soon to release new CD on Soul Records.
FMM: How has Soul Records evolved?
Today we are keeping the Soul Records legacy alive. with new recording artists, songwriters and producers. Some of the New artists on Soul Records are The Mark Stinger Band, Yulia Pschenichnaya aka Yulia, and James Anderson with ” Unconditional Love.” There is Ken Willis with “Justice.” Druzak’s ” Shimmy Twist and Xcluzive Soul with ” I Fell In Love.” We have Ralph Dudley with “Soul Latino.” Tina Riley with ” I’m Feelin You.” Today we have great songwriters such as Mark Stinger, Frank Green, Don Thompson, Ken Willis, Walt Johnston , Ricky Style and myself.
FMM: Can you share a few favorite moments working with artists?
One of my favorite moments working with artists is recently when Ricky Style, Rob Federici and myself finished recording “If You’re Tired” and “Until This Moment.” for Yulia who sings fluently in 5 different languages .These two singles will be released very soon.
FMM: What advice would you give an upcoming artist who would like to work with Soul Records, LLC?
My advice to upcoming artist who would like to work with Soul Records, send something to Soul Records LLC PO Box 632 Camden NJ 08101 and we’ll see what happens.
FMM: You are an actor and producer for the new Chase Street television series. How did you get involved in the project?
I got involved in Chase Street television series when the dream team Creator writer Denny Brown, Executive Producers Nate Banks Sr, Nate Banks Jr. Benny Mateo and Writer Thomas Freeman brought me on as a producer and the Judge. And the rest is history. Chase Street is a phenomenal television series now available on Amazon Prime Video and all of the attorneys in Chase Street are real lawyers.
FMM: You are a writer and producer of the upcoming movie Black Caesar where you play gangster Frank Mathews. Tell us more.
Black Caesar is a true American Gangster movie about Frank Mathews. He was the biggest drug kingpin in the United States. He was initially a number runner for Bumpy Johnson. And when Bumpy Died he took over the narcotics business in America. Unlike all these other made up for television gangster stories, Black Caesar is based on facts and not fiction ” Some of the actors and actresses in Black Caesar are Bobby Rand as Leroy Butler Benny Mateo as Tyrone Palmer, Nate Banks Jr as Dickie Anderson, Kevin Benton as The Jolly Green Giant, Lamar as Shorty Lucas, Justin Moore, Lauren Marie< Jacqueline Skyler Nacone Martin and Lady Queen as a few of the cast.
FMM: Next for you in 2021?
I will finish Black Caesar and work on the western Deadwood. Also we are working on a project called Live From Rahway State Prison which is a documentary based on the boxing matches held in Rahway in the 1970’s surrounding prisoner James Scott whom I was his sparring partner. I went into the prison three days a week back then as his sparring [partner. The documentary is interviews with those involved at that time. Thomas Freeman, Nate Banks Sr. and Nate Banks Jr. are also on this project.
