Junior - Ji (1982/2012)

Ji is the debut studio album by English singer Junior (Junior Giscombe), released in May 1982 by Mercury Records. The album was recorded with producer Bob Carter after the pair initiated their collaboration with the single "Mama Used to Say" (1981), which was remixed for Ji and became a transatlantic hit. A Britfunk record, the album mixes styles of soul and funk, with expansive synthesised production and a funk backing group. Giscombe and Carter's lyrics were based on realist stories. Music critics compared the singer's voice and melodic style to Stevie Wonder.

Upon release, the album was a commercial success, reaching number 28 in the UK Albums Chart and number 71 on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart. A further single from the record, "Too Late", made the UK Top 20. The album was generally praised by music critics, with attention given to its soulful style and inventive dance rhythms. Ji was re-released in 2012 by Soul Music in a deluxe edition.