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

George Benson "Songs and Stories" featuring David Paich & Steve Lukather

NEA Jazz Master and 10 times Grammy-winning legendary musician George Benson will release his new album on August 25th entitled "Songs and Stories", a collection of tunes penned by some of the most prolific and enduring songwriters of the last half-century. Some were written specifically for this new recording, such as Bill Withers (who came out of retirement to write A Telephone Call Away for George), Rod Temperton's "Family Reunion" and Lamont Dozier's "Living in High Definition"; while others, including James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight", Donny Hathaway's "Someday Well All Be Free" and Tony Joe White's "Rainy Night in Georgia" were hand-picked by Benson for their ability to convey simple but universal truths about the human experience. You cannot ignore this album because the album includes guest performances by David Paich, Gerald Albright, Lalah Hathaway, Lee Ritenour, Norman Brown, Patti Austin, Steve Lukather, John Robinson, Tom Scott and many others. Here is official video "The Making of Songs And Stories: Show Me The Love" featuring David Paich and Steve Lukather.

Last but not a least, I wonder if you would like to buy Japanese edition because of an exclusive bonus track only for Japan. If so, please click the below link to Amazon.co.jp or CD Japan.

Marco Taggiasco's 2nd "This Moment" feat. David Pack and Eric Tagg: Now on Sale!

On April 14, Marco Taggiasco's 2nd solo album "This Moment" has just been available at CD Baby. As I already informed the album is featuring two unreleased tracks written by ERIC TAGG, one of which features ERIC TAGG on lead vocals and the other also features ERIC on background vocals after 10 years of absence! David Pack delivers his marvelous vocal performance on the title track, "This Moment". Rest tracks on this album are of great quality. You will never be disappointed. Worth listening to sound clips and then buying.

Label: Mr.T Records, Italy (MRT0108)
Release Date: April 14, 2008
Producer: Marco Taggiasco
Tracks:
1. Another Waste Of TIme
2. This Moment
3. Radio Silence
4. Let My Love Grow
5. Can't Bring Back Yesterday 6. April In My Heart
7. You've Been Runnin'
8.From A Distance
9. Before The End Of Time

Patti Austin / Patti Austin (1984) Reissue!

This must be also one of the long-awaited CD reissues. 1984's self-titled album "PATTI AUSTIN" is her follow-up to her 1982's smash hit pop album "Every Home Should Have One" including #1 pop hit single "Baby Come To Me" duet with James Ingram for Quincy Jones' Qwest label. Patti enjoyed good chart action and significant airplay with the singles "It's Gonna Be Special" and "Shoot the Moon", both of which were written by Clif Magness and Glen Ballard. Speaking of "Hot! In the Flames of Love" and "Star Struck", both penned by Narada Michael Walden got high attention R&B and dance chart and thus she established her firm position in the R&B field.
This album had been reissued once in 1991 only for Japan but have been out-of print for very long time. In the summer of 2007, Mosaic Records will reissue this album under their Contemporary Reissues series presenting the definitive versions of the most important recordings in contemporary jazz and Adult Contemporary Music.

Label: Mosaic Contemporary, USA (Original Release: Qwest Records)
Release Date: August 24, 2007 (Original Release: 1984)
Executive Producers: Quincy Jones, Ed Eckstine
Producers: Narada Michael Walden, David Pack, Clif Magness, Glen Ballard, Ollie E. Brown, Quicy Jones

Tracks:
1. It´s gonna be special
2. Rhythm of the heat
3. All behind us now
4. Hot: In the flames of love
5. Change your attitude
6. Shoot the moon
7. I´ve got my heart set on you
8. Fine fine fella (Got to have you)
9. Starstruck
10. Any way you can

Lee Ritenour /RIT 24bit digital remastering reissue now available!

Everybody knows that there are many albums of Lee Ritenour to be reviewed. Having said so, among AOR/Westcoast lovers, this album should be the highest priority CD to be listened because of its production with David Foster. Otherwise, this is the best Eric Tagg featured albums. Mr. Briefcase", the opening track of this album is really the masterpiece tune. Generally, this album is well-known for "Is It You"? which reached #15 position on the US chart.
This album has been reissued on CD several times. Probably, the first reissue was done in 1994 by Discovery Records, USA. Therefore, most of this blog readers seems to possess this album already on CD like me. And there is not necessary for you to read how this album is awesome. Comparing 2007's 24 bit digital remastered CD with the 1994 release, the 2007 CD is far better in terms of clearness and powerfulness. Worth considering whether you will replace this masterpiece now!

Label: Warner Music Japan (WPCR25049) (Original Release: Elektra Records, USA)
Release Date: June 27, 2007 (Original Release: 1981)
Producers: David Foster, Harvey Mason and himself
Lee Ritenour: Guitars, Vocoder Vocals, Guitar Synth.
Musicians:
Drums: Harvey Mason
Keyboards: David Foster, Michael Boddicker, Greg Phillinganes, Richard Tee, Greg Mathieson
Bass: Abrahama Laboriel, Louis Johnson, David Hungate, John Pierce
Drums: Jeff Porcaro, Alex Acuna, Rick Shlosser
Percussion: Steve Forman, Paulinho Da Costa
Trumpet, Flugel Horns: Jerry Hey, Chuck Finley, Gary Grant
Trombones: Lou McCrary, Charles Loper, Bill Reichenback
Vocals: Bill Champlin, Eric Tagg
Strings Arangement: Johnny Mandel

Tracks:
1. Mr. Briefcase
2. (Just) Tell Me Pretty Lies
3. No Sympathy
4. Is It You?
5. Dreamwalk
6. Countdown (Captain Fingers)
7. Good Question
8. (You Caught Me) Smilin'
9. On The Slow Glide
10. No Sympathy (Reprise)

Janey Clewer "Perfume"

Janey Clewer has recently finished producing her 4th solo effort "Perfume".

The CD features 11 intoxicating songs plus 2 bonus tracks and the unbelievable musicianship of Vinnie Colaiuta, Randy Waldman, Dave Boruff , George Hawkins, Ian Wallace and the acclaimed gutarist Bruce Gaitsch, her spouse.

This album is more jazzy than her former albums. If you like her pop melodies, "I Concentrate On You" will be the one for you. Supposed tracklisting (not confirmed as yet) except 2 bonus tracks would be:

1. I Have A Thing For Sting
2. Perfume
3. She's In The Room
4. Cancel April
5. Fool In Love
6. All's Not Fair In Love And War
7. Exposed
8. I Concentrate On You
9. I Had A Bad Dream
10. He Was With Me
11. It Does My Heart Good

"Perfume" will be released in December 25, 2004 in Japan by Cool Sound, and will be available through CDbaby and her official website.

Marc Jordan "Make Believe Ballroom"

Marc Jordan has just released his brand-new studio recording album " Make Believe Ballroom" for Blue Note/EMI Canada, which is the follow-up to his Blue Note/EMI debut, "This Is How Men Cry" (1999)

In 2002, Marc released his first-ever greatest hits compilation, "Living In Marina Del Rey", which I believe you already have.

This new album Includes newly penned originals and cool jazz interpretations of pop classics, offering blends the perfect mix of jazz, easy listening, pop with even a dash of Country by Marc.

Tracklisting is as below:-

1. Lulu The Acrobat
2. Let's Waste Some Time
3. When Rita Takes The "A" Train
4. Lonesome Town
5. Tears Of Hercules
6. Shot Down My Heart
7. Everytime We Say Goodbye
8. Timbutktu
9. The Best Part Of My Life
10. I Must Have Said Your Name Out Loud
11. From A Late Night Train

MARK PORTMANN: Westside / Driving Beverly Hills

CD Baby: MARK PORTMANN: Westside - hear and buy it at CD BABY. -

Mark Portmann, A Grammy nominated & ex-Rippington keyboardist now releases his third solo album featuring an All Star musician lineup combining bluesy, funky, smooth, sexy rhythms with original sensuous piano, sax and guitar melodies.
The brand new CD is entitled "Westside", the return of his rich, lyrical, pop flavored jazz melodies.

It is not necessary to name who involves but I hereby do:-
Drums: Harvey Mason, Vinnie Coluita, Steve Ferrone, Bernie Dresel
Bass: Freddy Washington, Jr., Neil Stubenhuas
Guitar: Paul Jackson, Jr., Michael Landau
Sax: Michael Paulo, Scott Kreitzer,
Percussion: Raphael Padilla
Vocals: Leslie Smith

Last but not least, you might be pleased to hear this additional news:-

Mark Portmann also now gives you the opportunity to get his debut solo album "DRIVING BEVERLY HILLS" again now, which had been unavailable for a long time and became one of the highest price e-bay items.
Musicians include: Michael Paulo (sax), Jeff Kashiwa (sax), Freddy Washington, Jr (bass), Jerry Watts (bass), Ron Komie (gtr), Paul Jackson, Jr (gtr), Steve Reid (percussion), Steve Ferrone (drums), Tony Morales (drums), Greg Bissonette (drums), Herman Matthews (drums), Alan Hinds (gtr), Steve Bailey (bass), John Defaria (gtr), Philip Ingram (vocals), Machun (vocals), Mark Portmann (piano, keyboards, programming, arranging, producer, composer), Ed Smart, Matt Fronke, Wendell Kelly Eric Jorgenson Harry Kim (horns), mixed by Humberto Gatica.

Tom Keane 2 Aosis album now available as a special package

Tom Keane's two Aosis Records releases is currently available as a limited 2CD's special package in reasonable price. Tom released 6 tracks CD's"I Love a Gershwin tune" and "Smoove and Juicy Covers" under Japanese adult contemporary label Aosis Records, whose releases can be listened on the ANA (All Nippon Airways) international flight.
If you should miss those CD's done by Tom, now is the chance to buy.

Title: I Love a Gershwin tune / Smoove'and Juicy Covers
Release Date: April 21, 2004
Label: Aosis Records, Japan distributed by Victor Entertainment (VICL-69515,69516)

Tracks:

I love a Gershwin Tune（Disc-1）
01 Embraceable You
02 'S Wonderful
03 Someone to watch over me
04 Summertime
05 Love is here to stay
06 They can't take that away from me

Smoove' and Juicy Covers（Disc-2）
01 Through the Fire
02 Tell me what I gotta do
03 One more time around
04 Will you still love me
05 No one emotion
06 Loving every moment

Greg Mathieson / West Coast Groove

GREG MATHIESON

Greg Mathieson's brand-new Studio project CD called "West Coast Groove" will hit the globe soon! The 10 tracks CD includes 8 instrumental and 2 vocal tunes.
Bill Champlin sings these 2 vocal tracks: "Foreign Fire" / "Love Will Take You" and a new instrumental version of the Champlin/Mathieson tune "Party Time In DC".

# Release Date: Feburary 1, 2004
# Greg Mathieson: Keyboards
# Musicians:
$ Guitars: Michael Landau
$ Bass; Abraham Laboriel Sr.
$ Drums: Abraham Laboriel Jr., Vinnie Colaiuta
$ Percussion: Luis Conte
$ Vocals: Bill Champlin

#Tracks:
1. QTn, 2. Groove Buster, 3. Take Your Time,
4. Foreign Fire, 5. Love Will Take You, 6. Party Time In DC
7. Slippin' On Sunday, 8. Put Your Mind On Vacation
9. Thinking About Bill-E, 10. Barbarella