ACMJ International Blog

Omega Sunrise "Feel The Change": hidden treasure to be unearthed

I wonder if I said that there is not so many hidden treasures left to be reissued on CD. This recognition has not changed for me, however, OMEGA SUNRISE's 1983 album "Feel The Change" must deserve the hidden treasure for AOR / Westcoast / Fusion / Contemporary Christian music lovers. Omega Sunrise was a band that recorded and toured from 1979 through 1986. In 1983 they recorded their first album on New Jerusalem Records titled "Feel the Change" produced by Kim Hutchcroft well-known as the sax/flute player of the legendary "Seawind". The music of OMEGA SUNRISE was very close to that of Seawind featuring Debbie Seibert who sang like Pauline Wilson, backed by good horn section. On this album, you can listen to the cover versionof "Follow Your Road" originally performed by Seawind on their 1979's album "Light The Light".

The band released another album titled "Run from the Night" on Morada Records, USA in 1985. The album "Run from the Night" did fairly well with several songs charting in localized markets around the US. Unfortunately, this album seems to be hard to be reissued due to various contractual reasons at this moment. After touring for 3 years with a schedule of about 8 months on the road each year, Omega Sunrise played its last concert in the Summer of 1986 in Fresno, California.

• Label: Vivid Sound Corporatio, Japan <VSCD3336> (Original: New Jerusalem, USA <NJR-001>)
• Release Date: October 21, 2009 (Original Release Year : 1983)
• Producer: Kim Hutchcroft
• Omega Sunrise:
  • Debbie Seibert: Vocals
  • Mark Seibert: Guitar, Vocals
  • Mike Gonzales: Bass
  • Reggie Turner: Keyboards
  • Paul Thaxter: Drums
  • Ron Pierce:Trumpet, Flugelhorn
  • David H. Neece: Sax
  • Paul Natzke: Trombone, Vocals, Synth
• Tracks:
  1. Renewal
  2. Your Love
  3. Spot Light
  4. Can You Hear Him
  5. Too Hip
  6. Celestial Funk
  7. No Disguise
  8. First Love
  9. Eternal Day
  10. Feel The Change Comin'
  11. Follow Your Road

Mr. Mister "Welcome To The Real World" Japanese limited reissue with 3 bonus tracks

Mr. Mister's "Welcome To The Real World" must be one of the smash hit albums in 80's, which climbed to #1 on the Billboard album charts during early 1986 featuring two #1 hit singles; "Broken Wings" and "Is It Love" another top 10 hit peaking at #8 on the Billboard chart.

After producing 3 great albums as the band "Pages", it was 1984 when Richard Page and Steve George formed Mr. Mister along with Steve Farris and Pat Mastelotto and released their 1st album "I Wear The Face" which was not so successful in terms of the sales as Pages days. In June 1985, the second album "Welcome To The Real World" followed. The first single "Broken Wings" cut in August 1985 was the breakthrough for the band, which climbed up the chart and finally reached # 1 position on the Billboard in December 2005.

In August 2009, the album has been reissued as the LP style paper sleeve limited edition with 3 bonus tracks, using 2006 remastered version.

• Label: BMG Japan, Inc. (BVCP40048)
• Release Date: August 5, 2009
• Mr.Mister:
• • Richard Page: Bass, Lead Vocals
  • Steve George: Keyboards, Vocals
  • Steve Farris: Guitar
  • Pat Mastelotto: Drums
• Tracks:
• 1. Black/White
  2. Uniform of Youth
  3. Don't Slow Down
  4. Run to Her
  5. Into My Own Hands
  6. Is It Love
  7. Kyrie
  8. Broken Wings
  9. Tangent Tears
  10. Welcome to the Real World
  11. Broken Wings (single version) (bonus tack)
  12. Kyrie (single version) (bonus tack)
  13. Is It Love (single version) (bonus tack)

Two long-time out of print albums Think Out Loud - S/T, Clif Magness - Solo are reissued!

A newly founded label based in Munich Germany, YESTERROCK started to reissue records that either haven’t been available for years or previously only released on vinyl but not on CD yet. The label gains essential support in the search for these hidden treasures from both UNIVERSAL and SONY amongst others. Various independent label’s and artist’s contributions also help that CD’s now can be released which lately - in particular cases - only have been available in used and overpriced status on common internet platforms such as Amazon and Ebay. On June 24, 2009, two noteworthy albums have been reissued.

One is "Think Out Loud - s/t" and the other is " Clif Magness -Solo".

"Think Out Loud" are a studio project featuring singer Peter Beckett best known for his group Player and Steve Kipner also known for his great solo album "Knock The Walls Down". They released the self-titled album in 1988 for A&M Records, with the remarkable additional musicians including Steve Lukather, Randy Goodrum, Tris Imboden, Bob Marlette and Michael Landau. Beckett and Kipner shared lead vocals through out the album and the album should be one of the best AOR works done in late 80's.

There's not any releases as "Think Out Loud" before 1997. It was really surprising incident that MTM Records, Germany convinced Peter and Steve to produce a follow-up album and "Shelf Life" was released, which featured eleven brilliant songs including the original version of "Invisible Man" performed by 98 Degrees, which ranked on number 12 Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart dated September 27, 1997.  

Clif Magness is widely known for his Grammy award winning and Oscar nominated Writer / Producer ' career rather than a singer. Clif started his professional music carrier in 1980 by 2 solo singles release titled "The Rest Of The Night" and "There's Nothing So Expensive As Woman Who's Free For The Night" under Scotti Bros., USA. Clif came across his fatal songwriting partner, Glen Ballard in 1983 and they wrote "It's Gonna Be Special"for the motion picture "Two Of A Kind" performed by Patti Austin. They started to produce many albums from 1984 such as "All I Need" of Jack Wagner. In 1991, The two talented songwriters released their own album with Jay Graydon as the super group Planet 3. After the success as a singer, Clif released his first solo album in 1994 by the request of Empire Records, Sweden. Throughout the 1990s and in to 2000, Clif continued to work with outstanding artists such as Celine Dion and Amy Grant. In 2003, Clif produced the biggest breakout artist of the year, Avril Lavigne.With the success of Avril Lavigne, Clif has continued to break new ground writing and producing a whole new group of young superstars including Cherie Amore, Jessica Simpson, Kelly Clarkson, O-Town and many others. In 2009, Clif re-released his solo album"Solo" available on iTunes. then finally Physical CD has followed by YESTERROCK . All tracks of the original album are digitally re-mastered and two unreleased bonus tracks "Black And White" and "Running Forever" are added to this reissue.

SIncerely - Mariya Takeuchi Song Book Complete Edition

Mariya Takeuchi must be one of the best female singer/songwriters of Japan and she continues to release great albums over three decades. In 2002,

Cover album of Mariya Takeuchi release from musical big ones commemorating Mariya Takeuchi's 30-year anniversary. All tracks are remastared and a bonus track "Slow Love" performed by Olivia Newton-John is added to this special low-priced reissue. Enjoy many interesting performances done by your favorite singers including Richard Page, Marc Jordan, Christopher Cross, Richard Marx and many others. Please note that David Foster play the piano on very beautiful ballads "Teko's Theme" featuring Nita Whitaker, which is worth listening if you should miss.

• Label: Universal Music, Japan (UPCH-1638,1639)
• Release Date: December 17, 2008
• Tracks (CD-1)
  1. Love Storm (Lisa Loeb)
  2. Manhattan Kiss -Just Another Dream (Tiffany)
  3. At The Station (Richard Marx)
  4. My Sweet Home (Ann Wilson)
  5. Confession (Roberta Flack)
  6. Single Again (Phobe Snow)
  7. Plastic Love (Marilyn Martin)
  8. Camouflage (Bobby Caldwell)
  9. Time Strangers (Laura Branigan)
  10. Everyday Is Special (Rita Coolidge)
  11. Hearty Party Tonight (The Pointer Sisters)
  12. When Angels Cry (Marilyn Martin & Joe Pizzulo)
• Tracks(CD-2)
  1. Cheer Up (Eric Martin)
  2. Let's Try Again (Kim Carnes)
  3. PURE LOVE - LUCKY STAR (Richard Page)
  4. Mersey Beat (Juice Newton)
  5. Winter Lovers (Cyndy Lauper)
  6. Nostalgia (Christopher Cross)
  7. Forever Friends (Amy Sky & Marc Jordan)
  8. Midnight Nightingale (Gino Vannelli)
  9. Convenient Lover (Amy Foster Gillies)
  10. Night at the Amphitheater (Terri Nunn)
  11. Teko's Theme (Nita Whitaker with David Foster)
  12. Slow Love (Olivia Newton-John)

Sincerely... Mariya Takeuchi Songbook Complete Edition / V.A.

Peter Allen "Not The Boy Next Door" Remastered Reissue

Now, we have a miniature LP type paper sleeve reissue from Peter Allen featuring JVC K2 24bit remastering. The album "Not The Boy Next Door"  Peter Allen, Australian songwriter and entertainer, is well-known for the fact that he co-wrote the song "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" with Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Christopher Cross. As a solo singer, Allen took his stage act to Broadway, appearing in his own show, Up in One, More Than a Concert. His 1980 A&M album "Bi-Coastal" produced by David Foster, with a single "Fly Away", must be one of the AOR/West Coast masterpiece albums. "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" topped the charts for Christopher Cross in the fall of 1981 and won Allen and his fellow songwriters the Academy Award for best song. In 1983, Allen released this album "Not the Boy Next Door". The album is opened by "Just Another Make Out Song" co-written by David Foster. Besides David Foster, Tom Keane, Tom Snow,Eric Katz, and Carloe Bayer Seger dedicated their songwriting talents for this album. And L.A. first-call studio musicians including Vince Colaiuta and Russell Ferrante gathered to record this album. As widely known, Peter Allen died of complications from AIDS in 1992.

• Label: BMG Japan (Arista) [BVCM-35526]
• Release Date: February 4, 2009 (Original Release: 1983)
• Producer: Richard Landis
• Peter Allen: Lead Vocals, Keyboards
• Musicians:
• • Drums: Vince Colaiuta
  • Bass: Neil Stubenhaus
  • Guitars: Charles Johnson, George Doering, Fred Tackett
  • Keyboards: Russell Ferrante, David Foster, Michael Boddicker
  • Percussion: Steve Foreman, Victor Feldman
  • Sax, Lyricon: Tom Scott
  • Background Vocals: Jon Joyce, Joe Chemay, Jim Haas, Maxine Willard, Julia Tillman, Clydene Jackson

Ryo Okumoto / Makin' Rock

The 2009 first release of "Light Mellow Choices" will be the Japanese hard-fusion masterpiece, Ryo Okumoto's 2nd leader album "Makin' Rock".

Osaka born Keyboard player, Ryo Okumoto became known in Japan when Ryo toured with a Japanese group called "Creation" and recorded on their album "Best of Creation" in 1978. The next year Ryo toured with the legendary, "Kitaro" and recorded on Kitaro's album, "Live in Parco." In February 1980, Ryo's first leader album, "Solid Gold" with Canyon Records was released. He recorded this album at Air Studio in London with well-known musicians including Richard Baily (drummer for Jeff Beck). Only 2 month later, Ryo released his 2nd leader album, "Makin' Rock", which was recorded at Sound Labs Studios in Hollywood, having the best musicians : David Foster, Jay Graydon, Steve Lukather, Jeff Porcaro and Neil Stubenhaus.

Since 1994, Ryo Okumoto has been best known for his lasting tenure in the American progressive rock group Spock's Beard, but he has done a lot of different things before he joined. His track record includes recording sessions and live performances with pop and R&B artists like Peabo Bryson, Phil Collins and Aretha Franklin on the one hand. Some of AOR/Melodic Rcok freaks might recall his 2002 solo effort "Coming Through" again featuring Michael Landau, Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips and Bobby Kimball.

If I would discribe the music on "Makin' Rock" album very simply, it would be a kind of hard-progressive fusion, which I feel is very close to Karizma's or Los Lobotomys'. Someone says that the perfectness of the album outstrips Greg Mathieson Project's legendary live session recordings "The Baked Potato Super Live" (1982) featuring both Jeff Porcaro and Steve Lukather. Steve Lukather also dedicated his songwriting talent on 2 tunes and, Jay and David also arranged several tunes. Therefore, it should be worth buying for all of TOTO / Airplay fans.

• Label : Vivid Sound, Japan <VSCD3376> (Original: See Saw / Pony Canyon, Japan <C28R0053>)
• Rerelease Date: January 21, 2009 (Original Release: April 21, 1980)
• Ryo Okumoto:  Fender Rhodes Ryo Okumoto; Piano, Fender Rhodes, Obx, Arpsynthesizer,Vocorder＆Vocal
• Musicians:
• • Drums: Jeff Porcaro
  • Bass:Neil Stubenhaus
  • Guitars: Steve Lukather, Jay Graydon
  • Piano: David Foster
• Tracks:
  1. Keep On Rockin'
  2. Crystal Highway
  3. Solid Gold
  4. L.A.Express
  5. Freedom
  6. Original View Plus
     
  7. Mystery White
  8. Morinig Joint

Joseph Williams new solo "This Fall"

Joseph Williams' brand-new solo album called " THIS FALL" will be released in
Japan November 19 on WHD entertainment on HQCD format.
The album features guest appearances and songs co-written with Bobby Kimball
, Steve Lukather, David Paich( co-compose, piano, organ, lead
vocal), Steve Porcaro. Also.... Richie Zito, Jay Gruska, Mark T. Williams and Rick Marotta. All of the songs are composed or co-composed by Joseph and the album is self-produced. As far as we have heard, one of the great CCM singer/songwriter Chris Eaton also dedicated his songwriting talent for this album. Joey Carbone, the executive producer stated "Simply said, this album is BRILLIANT and will be a great fan pleaser. Joseph thinks that this is his best solo album to date."
And on the same date WHD also re-release 2 old Joseph's solo album. One is Joseph's self-titled first solo masterpiece "Joseph Williams" and the other is Joseph's early era's unreleased materials collection album "Early Years".

Jay Graydon All Stars "Live in Japan 1994.1.19" Super High Material CD with bonus DVD

We could have DVD release of the Jay Graydon All Stars' 1994 live performance in Japan with 2 bonus CDs with the live audio recordings deleting MC as "Airplay For The Planet Live In Japan 1994.1.19" in December 2007. This was the must-have DVD for all of AOR/Westcoast music lovers, even though the video of the performance was shot as the private recorded data for the band, using a single camera and not intended to be published those days. And now again , The Super High Material CDs 2008 remastered version has just been released on 2 discs. If the difference between the first edition and the re-released version were only the materials of the disc and not omitting MC during the live performance, it is easy to skip. However, the re-released version is now on sale with a bonus DVD.... The bonus DVD includes Jay Graydon All Stars 1996 live videos. 6 tracks were taken on February 13, 1996 at Gino, Stockholm Sweden. And 2 tracks with live rehearsal taken on February 2, 1996 at Theater Drama City, Osaka Japan. It cannot help being criticized that the quality of the video are much worse than 1994's. Sound is also not so good regarding Swedish one. Therefore, this version should not be recommended to everyone but Jay's mania must express sincere gratitude to share the valuable memories by publishing this video. As you may know, 1996 tour members includes the voice of Airplay, Tommy Funderburk and Ned Doheny. Further, on February 13, two surprising guest players were captured by this video. These guys are Bill Champlin and Jason Scheff! On "She Just Can't Make Up Her Mind ", Bill appeared from behind and started to sing. Jason also appeared on stage and stayed in the background playing bass for a couple of songs.

• Label: Isol Discus Organization / Ward Records, Inc. Japan (GQCP-59044)
• Release Date: September 24, 2008
• Tracks on bonus DVD (Tracks 1-9: Live in Stockholm, Tracks 11-12: Live in Osaka)
  1. Cryin' All Night
  2. Bix
  3. It Will Be Alright
  4. She Just Can't Make Up Her Mind
  5. Nothin' You Can Do About It
  6. Whatcha Gonna Do For Me
  7. Pamela
  8. After The Love Has Gone
  9. Stranded
  10. Live Rehearsal (February 2, 1996 in Osaka)
  11. She Just Can't Make Up Her Mind
  12. Stranded

Chicago / "Heart Of Chicago" (MVI disc upgraded reissue)

Rhino Records has just published the details of upcoming "Heart Of Chicago" reissue as the following news release. The MVI will be released on March 11, 2008.

Track Listing:

01 YOU'RE THE INSPIRATION 02 IF YOU LEAVE ME NOW 03 MAKE ME SMILE 04 HARD HABIT TO BREAK 05 SATURDAY IN THE PARK 06 WISHING YOU WERE HERE 07 THE ONLY ONE 08 COLOUR MY WORLD 09 LOOK AWAY 10 HERE IN MY HEART 11 JUST YOU 'N' ME 12 DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS ? 13 WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME ? 14 BEGINNINGS 15 HARD TO SAY I'M SORRY / GET AWAY

Here is the official Rhino's NEWS RELEASE :

[QUOTE]

CHICAGO / Heart Of Chicago (MVI) Rhino's upgrade of the HEART OF CHICAGO as a Music Video Interactive (MVI) disc makes this decades-spanning retrospective an even harder habit to break. Originally released in 1997 as a 15-track survey of hits and fan favorites from the band's first thirty years ('67-'97), the compilation's MVI reissue now helps ring in Chicago's 40th anniversary in true 21st century style.

The group's timeless music is presented in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital and Advanced Resolution PCM Stereo mixes, and the disc is also loaded with videos, ringtones and other interactive bonus features and applications. MVI is a DVD-based music format that, in addition to all the benefits of an audio disc, delivers higher fidelity and advanced mixes, leading-edge video and interactive extras. It also offers a one-click capability to save digital music files onto a hard drive.

On HEART OF CHICAGO-the band's first title to get an MVI make-over-signature songs including “Satuday In The Park,” “You're The Inspiration” Hard Habit To Break” and the #1 hits “Look Away” and the GRAMMY®winning “If You Leave Me Now” will be richly enhanced sonic experiences. Bonus video content to make you smile includes a new interview with Chicago, videos for “Hard Habit To Break” and “Will You Still Love Me?” plus live performances of “Make Me Smile” and “Beginnings” from A&E Live By Request.

The MVI Disc also features the URTone* ringtone application and ringtones for “25 Or 6 To 4,” “Call On Me,” “Saturday In The Park” and “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” (URTone only works in the U.S.). There's also a link to make your own mix of “Free” with NU-MYX, a photo gallery, buddy icons, wallpapers, Weblinks/Rom and a booklet PDF.

Formed in its namesake city in 1967, Chicago is the first American band ever to propel albums into BillboardHEART OF CHICAGO (MVI)continues Rhino's celebration of that milestone and the band's enduring popularity.

[UNQUOTE]

Marc Jordan / Live At El Mocambo +1

Vivid Sound has announced to reissue one of the hardest-to-get album of Marc Jordan, "Live At El Mocambo" alternatively known as "Secrets Live" here in Japan on February 20, 2008 as one of the Ligh Mellow's Choice series supervised by Toshikazu Kanazawa. This album was originally released in 1981 on RCA/RVC Records, Canada and Japan. And in 1992, the album was once re-released on CD in France by La Califusa Records. Recorded live April 11, 1980 at El Mocambo, Tronto Canada, the album was produced by Keith Whiting and Marc. 5 tracks out of 9 were unreleased materials, and 4 tracks; "I'm A Camera", "Survival", "Lost In The Hurrah" and "From Nowhere To This Town" were from Marc's first two solo albums "Mannequin" (1978) and "Blue Desert" (1979). Only those well-known 4 tunes were included later on Marc's another live album entitled "Live- Now & Then" in 1997. Therefore, many Marc's fan are eager to have a chance to listen to 5 unreleased materials only on this live album.

Finally, remastered reissued CD will be available and you should also note that the new version will include a bonus live tracks at El Mocambo. The tune is "Tattooed Lady" from the album "Blue Desert"! Thus, even if you were lucky enough to have the original LP and/or French reissued CD, you cannot help getting the new reissued CD!