Jones, Albert*

Websites:  No
Origin: Gary, Indiana, 🇺🇸 - Toronto, Ontario, 🇨🇦
Biography:

Albert Jones: A Soulful Voice with Roots in Gary, Indiana and a Canadian Connection
Albert Jones, born in Gary, Indiana, began his lifelong love affair with music at the age of eight. By his teens, he was excelling in the performing arts and earned a scholarship to the Interlochen Arts Academy of Music, a pivotal moment in shaping his artistic path. Jones’s family was musically gifted—his parents, Jimmy and Vivian Jones, were performers, and their home provided a fertile environment for nurturing his passion for music.

While growing up in Gary, Albert drew inspiration from an environment that produced legends like Stevie Wonder, Tyrone Davis, and The Jackson Five. His natural talent caught the attention of Choker Campbell, a famed producer and bandleader known for his work with Motown’s live band. Campbell launched Albert’s professional career and brought him to Toronto, Canada, where his career took on a new dimension.

The Canadian Connection: Candy Apple Records
By 1976, Choker Campbell had co-founded Border North Productions in Toronto with Jules Rabkin and a group of local business partners. Under this Canadian imprint, Candy Apple Records, they aimed to bring soul music to a broader audience. Albert Jones became one of the label’s key artists, alongside Campbell himself. This effort was part of an emerging Canadian soul movement, with much of the album’s music and lyrics bearing the MAPL (Canadian content) designation.

Candy Apple Records released just two full-length albums and three singles, making these releases incredibly rare and sought after. Albert’s 1977 album, The Facts of Life, stands out as one of the label’s most significant achievements. The record was recorded and produced in Toronto, blending Detroit-inspired soul with Canadian musicianship, resulting in a unique sound that set it apart from other releases of the era.

The Facts of Life: A Testament to Canadian Soul
Albert Jones’s 1977 album became a cult classic among soul collectors, with original copies often fetching $450 USD or more. Produced by Choker Campbell, the album reflects Albert’s personal message and life experiences, backed by the Choker Campbell Orchestra and the trio Empress, who provided lush backup vocals. The arrangements by Campbell, Willie Smith, and Herbie Williams give the album a polished, authentic sound, rooted in both Detroit soul and the Canadian recording scene.

The album’s Border North Productions roots are proudly acknowledged in the liner notes, marking it as a key example of 1970s Canadian soul and its connection to Detroit’s musical heritage.

Rare Gems: "I'm Busting Nuts" and the Goldmine Soul Supply Reissue
In addition to his album, Albert Jones released a rare 45 rpm promo single on Candy Apple (catalog number RC 744) titled “I’m Busting Nuts,” written by Choker Campbell. This song stands out for its playful innuendo and clever lyricism, earning it a cult following in the “innuendo funk” sub-genre. The track humorously recounts the narrator’s job at a fruitcake production facility, where he “busts all kinds of nuts”—a mischievous double entendre that blends irresistible funk grooves with sly wit.

In the mid-1990s, The Facts of Life was paired with Carla Whitney’s work and reissued by Goldmine Soul Supply (GSCD 135) as part of a two-fer collection. This reissue introduced Albert’s music to a new generation of collectors and provided an affordable gateway into 1970s Canadian soul.

Legacy and Enduring Influence
Albert Jones’s recordings—marked by their emotional depth, smooth delivery, and a seamless blend of Detroit soul and Canadian production values—continue to resonate with listeners today. His 1977 album, in particular, remains a prized piece of Canadian soul history. Although Candy Apple Records only released a handful of projects, its impact endures, thanks in no small part to Albert’s contribution.

His story is a reminder that great music knows no borders, and sometimes the most powerful voices rise from unexpected places—like a Canadian label determined to bring Detroit’s soulful spirit to Toronto’s music scene.
-Robert Williston