Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the signing of PLAYER to the label for the release of a yet untitled new album.
Best remembered for "Baby Come Back," a song which topped the US single charts in 1978, Player original lineup included Peter Beckett (guitarist, lead vocalist), J.C. Crowley (guitarist, vocalist), Ronn Moss (bassist, vocalist) and John Friesen (drummer). After extensively playing the club scene in Southern California, Player began to develop a very distinctive edgy, yet very melodic rock style, and was signed by Robert Stigwood to his legendary RSO Records, home to The BeeGees, Eric Clapton, “Saturday Night Fever”, and “Grease”.
Among several notable accolades, Player was named Billboard's Best New Singles Artist of 1978. Eric Clapton became so impressed with Player that he invited them to be the special guest on his 1978 North American tour. They also performed with Heart, Boz Scaggs, Kenny Loggins and Gino Vannelli to name a few.
Player went on to release four albums during their active touring years until 1982. Moss left in 1981 to pursue an acting career, and has starred for the past 25 years on the daytime soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful”. JC Crowley pursued a career in country Music, while Beckett continued writing for other artists and movie soundtracks. He also did an eight year stint with Little River Band starting in 1990, while releasing an acclaimed solo cd 'Beckett' in 1991.
Beckett got back together with Ronn Moss in 1995, and recorded Player's fifth album, “Lost in Reality” and toured the United States. Since then, Peter has produced, written and played on two solo CDs for Ronn Moss and composed music for “The Bold And The Beautiful”. Player restarted working on new songs and touring together in 2010. The new lineup features again original members Peter Beckett and Ronn Moss together with Rob Math (guitars), Johnny English (keyboards) and Craig Pilo (drums).
“Player has not released a cd for over 10 yrs. It's great to actually be creating in the studio for the band once again, as opposed to our many other projects”, says Peter Beckett. “The new album will feature Player's three part harmony very prominently and include the usual blend of rock and big melodies”.
Ronn Moss adds: “It’s been quite a while since our last record release. Feels great to finally be making new music. I’d say the “stuff of life” has played an integral part of influencing all non-musical activities the last several years. Personal endeavours, other work related ventures, and just being downright lazy, have all played a part in why we haven’t done this sooner than now. But in “now’s” defense, sometimes one has to wait until “now” happens before you can actually be there.”
As a special appetizer to the new release, and in connection with a promotional trip in Italy where Peter and Ronn will appear on several major radio and TV shows in the first week of May, Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the worldwide digital release only of a 3-songs EP entitled “My Addiction” on April 30th.
The EP will also include, along with the title track, “Too Many Reasons” and a new recording of “Baby Come Back” and sets the pace for the new album’s release which is planned for the second half of 2012.
“My Addiction - as well as “Too Many Reasons” - came from co-writing sessions between Beckett and Steve Plunkett. “ I have written tons of songs with "Plunk" over the last 20 years and will continue to do so. We sifted through our joint efforts to see what would fit Player” tells Peter. "Addiction" seemed to be a great choice. This song title was actually stolen from one of our other songs. The other song was actually about addiction. This one is a love song and a lot easier to listen to.
You can order / preorder “My Addiction” now on iTunes.
“My Addiction” sample can be listened following this link:
http://www.frontiers.it/m/uploads/audios/player-myaddiction-sample.mp3
The EP can also be purchased via Amazon worldwide, eMusic and all other digital retailers all over the world. The song “My Addiction” can be streamed in full on the Frontiers Records webradio: www.frontiers.it/webradio
Weblinks: www.player-theband.com / www.frontiers.it
Frontiers Records is honoured to welcome Richard Marx to the label for the exclusive release of “Inside My Head” - a 2 CD album set featuring rare and new material along with new recordings of his greatest hits - on June 1st in Europe. The first single “Wouldn't Let Me Love You” will be released digitally on May 1st and can be exclusively streamed in full on the Frontiers Records webradio www.frontiers.it/webradio. A video clip is in the works.
A gifted singer and consummate songwriter Richard Marx has left a powerful mark on the music industry over the past 20 years. With 30 million records sold, 3 Grammy Awards nominations, a Grammy Award for “Song of the Year” and an American Music Award nomination for favourite male singer Marx, who has written fourteen #1 songs and had thirteen US #1 songs on the Billboard charts, has remained a fixture on pop and adult contemporary radio for years.
Marx was the first male solo artist in history to have his first 7 singles reach the top 5 on Billboard’s singles chart, including the 1 hits “Hold On to the Nights,” “Satisfied” and the worldwide classic “Right Here Waiting.” This feat remains unchallenged. He has also emerged as a first rate producer working with some of the biggest names in the music business including *NSYNC, Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban, Kenny Rogers, Sarah Brightman, Lara Fabian, Sister Hazel and The Tubes among others. More recently, he has written and produced records for Daughtry, Leann Rimes, Emerson Drive, Natalie Cole, Keith Urban, Kenny Loggins, Michael Bolton and actor Hugh Jackman.
The first CD of the “Inside My Head” set is a new studio record. It features two bonus tracks as well as collaborations with some of the most talent singer songwriters in the business including Chris Daughtry (“Had Enough” and “On The Inside”), Chad Kroeger of Nickelback (who also co-wrote “On The Inside”), Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon (who played and co-wrote “Always on Your Mind”), Jason Wade of Lifehouse (who co-wrote “Had Enough”, also released by his band on “Smoke and Mirrors”), Fee Waybill of The Tubes (“Come Running”), Dann Huff (co-producer and guitarist on “Loved”) and many others.
Marx said: “I'm excited to be putting out a new release in Europe. My fans there have been incredibly loyal and I hope they like this new music and I hope to be back over touring there soon.”
The second, bonus CD contains amazing new versions of 12 of Marx’s greatest hits, including “Right Here Waiting”, “Angelia”, “Don’t Mean Nothing” and “Keep Coming Back”.
Marx added: “I wanted to have new recordings of my classic tracks because, while they were all fun to revisit and sing and play again, in a few cases I felt they needed some updating. After playing these songs live for so many years I wanted to incorporate some of the ways the songs have evolved but still retain what people seemed to like about them to begin with.”
“Inside My Head” will be released in a lavish digipak edition and will include the following songs:
CD 1: Had Enough; Wouldn't Let Me Love You; Like Heaven; On The Inside; Through My Veins; Always On Your Mind; Loved; Come Running; All Over Me; Scars; Done To Me; Over My Head; Part of Me.
CD 2: Don't Mean Nothing; Should've Known Better; Endless Summer Nights; Keep Coming Back; Take This Heart; Hold On To The Nights; Angelia; Hazard; Too Late To Say Goodbye; Satisfied; Right Here Waiting; When You Loved Me.
VIVID SOUND rescheduled Janey Clewer's "Love" and "Fallen For Brazil" to ensure much higher satisfactory qualities. The New Date would be 4th April,2012. And finally, the beautiful artworks for both album are published. You should never ignore both. Please follow the below links for details of both releases.
Janey Clewer "Love", new special compilation album featuring 4 new recordings, also being released!
Janey Clewer "Fallen For Brazil " Official Release finally available soon !
The new AOR dream rising from Sweden! SONIC STATION to debut in February 2012 on Frontiers. If you are Westcoast oriented AOR fan, you might think this might be another too hard melodic rock album because of the basic preference of the label. As far as I listened to sample sound bytes of this project, it is not the case. This is really Westcoast style AOR. In this sense, if you would expect recent TOTO or Journey vein albums, this album would not meet with your favour, even though the below official press release says the project has been based in the 80's AOR music influenced by TOTO, Mr. Mister and Journey. If I admit this, most light & mellow side of those bands.
Here is the official press release:
Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the signing to the label of a brand new Artist SONIC STATION for the release of their self titled debut album on February 24th 2012 in Europe and February 28th in North America.
SONIC STATION is a new Westcoast-AOR Project put together by Alexander Kronbrink (a Swedish guitarist, composer and producer). Alexander is a young musician who learned his skills playing with Smooth Jazz star Jonathan Fritzén. Later on – after being introduced to Lee Ritenour - Alexander started to see a clearer direction in his playing. Through Ritenour he discovered the music of such giants as Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins, composer and producer David Foster and guitarist Jay Graydon, among others. Alexander says: “I have always been interested in guitarists with the ability to play everything from Jazz, to Pop, to Country, to Hard Rock. I have listened a lot to American session guitarists such as Steve Lukather, Michael Landau and Dan Huff. I guess that type of guitar playing is what have influenced me the most.”
From the very beginning the SONIC STATION project has been based in the 80’s AOR music (influenced by Toto, Mr. Mister and Journey) and the West Coast-sound of Airplay and Chicago. The resulting album “SONIC STATION” is an expressive and warm record, where each song has an obvious and immediate hit feeling. “The focus is on melody and the SONIC STATION sound is a meticulous and exciting mixture of Pop, Rock and Jazz”, explains Kronbrink. To get the most quality out of each track Alexander, who composed ten of the songs and also produced and arranged the whole record, engaged four singers with different styles and voices: Marika Willstedt (from the Swedish TV show “Så ska det låta”), Magnus Bäcklund (member of the Swedish duo “Fame”), Kristoffer Fogelmark and Tove Lo. There are many musicians working on the album but the three contributing the most are Alexander’s close friends Jonathan Fritzén (on keyboards – a smooth Jazz solo artist who reached #1 on the Billboard Indicator Smooth Jazz Chart), Henrik Linder (on bass – Dirty Loops, Work of Art) and Aron Mellergård (on drums – Dirty Loops). All of them are accomplished musicians and gave their contribution for the final result. “I definitely think SONIC STATION will have a life on stage and I expect that we will be able to do some shows in the coming months” concludes Alexander Kronbrink. “Sonic Station” includes the following songs: Intro; Love's Gonna Show The Way (Feat. Magnus Bäcklund); I Wish I Could Lie (Feat. Marika Willstedt); Hold On To Me (Feat. Kristoffer Fogelmark); You Have To Let Me Go (Feat. Tove Lo); The Most Beautiful Fear (Feat. Magnus Bäcklund); Running Through The Night (Feat. Marika Willstedt); Never Let The Sunshine Die (Feat. Kristoffer Fogelmark); My Last Refrain (Feat. Marika Willstedt); Love You More (Feat. Marika Willstedt & Kristoffer Fogelmark); Reasons (Feat. Marika Willstedt) With SONIC STATION, Alexander Kronbrink has taken the 80’s into the future.
It is not only "Fallen For Brazil" Janey will deliver us very soon! Another one will be also coming. It is the album entitled "Love". "Love" is Janey's new compilation CD which will include selected collaboration tracks with your favourite vocalists and/or musicians, taken from her previous solo CDs after due consideration. "Falling In Love" (taken from 1st solo "Janey" ) and "Forever Valentine" (from 3rd solo "When Stars Collide" are with Bill Champlin, "Two Shooting Stars" (from "Janey") with Mac Jordan, "Can't Let You Go With My Heart" (from "Janey") with Richard Marx… "Call Me Romantic", the title track of her 2nd solo is one of my timeless favourite tune featuring Jay Graydon's best solo guitar of mid 90's. Peter Cetera supports Janey on "God's Perfect Plan" and then "Only Time Will Tell" duet with Eric Carmen would follow, taken from the same album. "Exposed" and "Lovers Are Never Lost" are picked up from 2005 album "Perfume". You must appreciate 4 brand new songs, including a special bonus track, “If Only For Tonight” (duet with Joey Chemay) for the Tsunami relief efforts. The title track, “Love”, is one of the best ballads of the decade featuring all-star cast of singers including Peter Cetera, Marc Jordan, Bill Champlin, Tamara Champlin, Jaimee Paul, Joe Chemay and Janey. "Impossible" (duet with Joshua Payne) might be another hidden gem for you. You must satisfy with "The Last Words You Said" is self-cover of another Janey's greatest composition co-written with RIchard Marx for Sarah Brightman's 1998 album "Eden".
Janey Clewer's new solo effort “Fallen For Brazil” complete version will be finally released in January 2012! "Fallen For Brazil", Janey's neo-Brazilian styled album will be officially released in the complete shape after 3 years since its limited pre-release version was released on CD-R for the fans and digital downloads in January 2009. ItThis complete version would include 3 new tunes not on the pre-release; "Samba Sky", "Paparazi" and "One At Heart". There is one cover of “This Masquerade” an all-time personal favorite of Janey’s with 9 tunes appeared on the pre-release version as well as revised mixes and fully mastered tracks. Every track is drenched with timeless string arrangements and the incomparable John Patitucci on bass. Also featured is the vocal magic of Marc Jordan on the duet “ Make Her Mine” and Michael Sembello sings haunting Portuguese background vocals on “The Summer Wind”. The album also features the awesome acoustic guitar work of her husband, Bruce Gaitsch, flutes by Dave Boruff, vibes by Alex Poston and trumpet by Nick Newman. The timeless string arrangements of Boh Cooper and Janey brush each song with beautiful strokes of color. The string players are Nashville’s finest led by David Davidson, concertmaster of Orchestra Nashville. Open your finest Malbec, sit back and let your ears take you on a passionate musical journey to Brazil and beyond.
(Remarks)Please note that the track listing shown on the VIVID SOUND official website and/or Amazon.co.jp would be by mistake the pre-release version's one, which should be amended properly in due course.
On December 6, 2011, Little Flock Music, Peter Mayer's production/managment company has announced the official release of the Peter Mayer Group's new CD, "Under Your Spell." The CD will be available at Peter's Stars & Promises concerts, beginning 6th Decmber in Hopkinsville, KY USA, and will soon be available for purchase in their webstore. And I am pleased to confirm that you may get your copy at Little Flock Music.
"Under Your Spell" is a live, double disc collection of songs, covering a broad musical history, beginning with songs written with the band PM, Peter's solo projects and the current Peter Mayer Group. The CD was recorded live at three venues in July and August: Freedom Hall/Nathan Manilow Theatre, Park Forest, IL; The Duck Room, Blueberry Hill, St. Louis, MO; Rams Head on Stage!, Annapolis, MD. Musicians featured on this CD are: Peter Mayer, R. Scott Bryan, Chris Walters, Marc Torlina, Maggie Estes and special guest, James Perretta. "Under Your Spell" was co-produced, recorded, edited and mixed by the very talented Alan Schulman.
Peter Mayer says, "For three dates in July and August 2011, we recorded the band of musicians that I’ve had the privilege of sharing the stage with for the past five years. With the sonic palette and stylistic abilities of Scott, Chris, Marc and Maggie, each night has been a new adventure. From time to time we’d be playing on a porch, in a living room or before a show and several of us would remark, 'this feels really good, we should record this.' We had been releasing our own sound board CDs after shows for several years, but never had put together a complete set of songs that could be recorded well, mixed and released as a full album. "
I have not reviewed so many CDs on this blog this year but it does not mean that there's not so many CDs worth being reviewed. Just only because I have been busy enjoying beautiful European cities and culture since I settled in London July 2010. As you know, VIVID SOUND JAPAN is keeping very aggressive to reissue many hard-to-get AOR / Westcoast masterpieces under Toshikazu Kanazawa supervising "Light Mellow Choices" series. I can say that it will be continued net year with not only reissued titles but also a certain brand-new releases. Toshiki Nakada's independent label COOL SOUND would not be so active but I believe he did not loose his passion for delivering the good music to you. In this sense, I should have reviewed this Lance Jyo's 2011 double CDs album "Pacific Rendezvous" early September. But I think it is my duty to let you have an opportunity to know this title before Christmas. This album is not Holiday Season album but it is very mellow and romantic one, which might be one of the good choice for your 2011 Holiday seasons rather than getting various Holiday Season releases.
I think it is better giving you Lance's message how he describes this release rather than my words, here is the words from Lance:
Aloha,
I wanted to thank you for taking the time to give this CD collection a listen. First and foremost I need to acknowledge and thank my friend and Cool Sound Records President Toshiki Nakada for his constant support of my music allowing me to share these songs with you.
Pacific Rendezvous is actually two projects in one. Disc 1 features all new music I have worked on since the LA HNL TKY Project back in 2006. I was fortunate to re-enlist producer/arranger/musician Raul Ferrando once again. I am excited once again to share that the release of this collection coincides with the 13th Anniversary of Cool Sound Records. "The Best Is Yet To Come" was written especially to commemorate the occasion. Once again featuring some of Toshi's stable of musicians.
Disc 2 contains a collection of songs written from 1990 to the present. Included are songs released on earlier projects, out-takes and unreleased tracks. A songwriter's "musical journey" through time. I have been blessed to have worked with so many talented musicians through this journey. Nothing can compare to that excitement that comes from composing a new song. And equally there's no more satisfying feeling than having other artists doing their renditions or your music. I've included some of my favorite "covers"
Music can be spiritual, healing and has always been a source of inspiration for me. I hope these songs touch you as they have me. Special thanks out to all of my friends who continue to encourage my efforts and celebrate my passion in continuing to create music for years to come!
Mahalo,
Lance
Fergie Frederiksen, widely-known as the second TOTO lead siger and the voice of Trillion and/or Le Roux, is pursuing another era of his solo career. In 1999, Fergie released his solo album titled Equilibrium”, and since then, we could listen to his unchanged powerful voice on various project album including Mecca and Frederiksen/Denander. It was really shcoked for us to hear his announcement of June 2010 that he had been diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer.However, Fergie himself was so brave and very possitve to continue the recording sessions of his solo effort "Happiess Is The Road" as a therapy to regain confidence in himself and his strengths. In the summer 2011, Fergie finally completed the recording of the album and at the same time his cancer is being defeated. I am so pleased to know that Fergie is now back with a very special new album “Happiness is the Road”. This is the best solo album of Fergie's in terms of the quality of the songs, written by the familiar superior song writers; Jim Petrik, Joe Vana, Robert Sall and David Roberts. The two songs written by David Roberts, i.e. "I Still Believe" and "Love Waits For No One" would be giving the album some kind of good spice.
Here is the new Fergie's new video clip "Follow Your Hear" taken from the album. Enjoy!