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 / Robbie Dupree new single

  Marco Taggiasco teams up with Robbie Dupree! The new single entitled "Got To Believe This Time" will be digitally available soon both on CD Baby and iTunes. As of August 14, due to the malfunction of CD Baby's digital download service, the release is obliged to be postponed. However this song must be worth waiting. You can listen to the excerpt version of this tune at Marco Taggiasco's official website until the release date. Please check back for updates!

Here is the credit of the song;

• Music by Marco Taggiasco, Lyrics by Robbie Dupree

• Lead Vocals: Robbie Dupree
• Keyboards: Marco Taggiasco
• Guitar: Giancarlo Capo
• Drums: Riziero Bixio
• Bass: Carlo Testa
• Alto Sax: Costantino Ladisa
• Backing Vocals: Andrea Sanchini, Calus Leonhardt, Robbie Dupree

Seawind "Reunion" CD release in April

In 2007, We have heard that the long-awaited Seawind Reunion CD recording was almsot finished! in 2007 and they started mixdown, mastering and so on. Finally, wait will be really over soon. The album "Reunion" will be released on April 22 for Village Records, a subsidary label of Sony Music, Japan. The group spent time in Los Angeles recording studios, while tracking all of their new songs. The new CD will also include 2007 remakes of their classics "Follow Your Road", "Free" and "He Loves You", on which Al Jarreau is featured along with Pauline Wilson. Further Al is also on the brand new song entitled "Hold On".  

Except Jerry Hey , The rest of entire group members reunited; Bob Wilson - Drums, Pauline Wilson - Vocals, Larry Williams - Keyboards, Sax & Flute, Kim Hutchcroft - Sax & Flute, Bud Nuanez - Guitar and Ken Wild - Bass are back. It seems that the band will do reunion tour after this release. We will have legends again in coming spring of 2009.

• Label: Village Records, Japan (Limited Edition: VRCL20001 Standard Edition: VRCL12003)
• Release Date: April 22, 2009
• Seawind is:
  • Pauline Wilson : Lead & Background Vocals
  • Larry Williams：Piano , Key , Sax & Flute
  • Kim Hutchcroft：Sax & Flutes
  • Bob Wilson：Drums(& Primary Composer)
  • Bud Nuanez：Electric & Acoustic Guitars
  • Ken Wild：Acoustic , Electric & Fretless Electric Basses
  • Larry Hall : Trumpet & Flugelhorn
• Guest Musicians :
  • Al Jarreau : Vocals & “Scat” Vocals　
  • Gary Grant : Trumpet & Flugelhorn
  • Bill Reichenbach : Trombones
  • Michito Sanchez : Percussion
• Tracks:
  1. He Loves You
  2. Kept By Your Power
  3. Sunshadow
  4. Hold On To Love
  5. Follow Your Road
  6. Wayne
  7. Free
  8. Everything Needs Love
  9. Pearl
  10. You’re My Everything
  11. Devil Is A Liar
  12. Liquid Spies

Janey Clewer / Fallen For Brazil

Janey Clewer's new solo effort “Fallen For Brazil” has finally arrived! Currently, you will get a limited pre-release CDR version printed for the fans while the artist looks into label options. Janey has composed a beautiful collection of neo-Brazilian styled songs that will thrill your senses and stir your soul. There is one cover of “This Masquerade” an all-time personal favorite of Janey’s. She caresses each song with effortless, seductive vocals that exude an intimacy that is undeniably Janey. 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 CD 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. Josh Abbey, producer and engineer for Russell Watson, mixed Janey’s CD in NYC, NY. Open your finest Malbec, sit back and let your ears take you on a passionate musical journey to Brazil and beyond.

Here is the words from Janey;

Hello friends and fans! I would like to inform you that my new CD “Fallen For Brazil” is finished and available at cdbaby.com as a limited pre-release. It will be on iTunes and other digital servers very soon.

Click on the following link and it will take you right to the page where you can hear clips of each song and purchase the CD: http://cdbaby.com/cd/janey/

For more pictures and news, visit my official website at http://www.janeyclewer.com

For those of you who have already purchased this CD or any other CD of mine, thank you very much for your support!

Janey Clewer

• Release Date: January 15, 2009 (Limited Pre-release)
• Producers: Janey Clewer and Bruce Gaitsch
• Janey Clewer: Lead & Background Vocals, Piano and Keyboards
• Musicians:
• • Guitars and Percussion Programming: Bruce Gaitsch
  • John Patitucci: Bass
  • Violin: David Davidson, David Angel
  • Viola: Monisa Angel
  • Cello: John Catchings
  • Flutes: Dave Boruff
  • Vibes: Alex Poston
  • Trumpet: Nick Newman
  • Background Vocals: Michael Sembello
  • Duet Vocal on "Make Her Mine":Marc Jordan
• Tracks:
  1. Ooh, Ooh
  2. I Should Let Go
  3. The Summer Wind
  4. Too Good To Be Real
  5. Picture This
  6. This Masquerade
  7. Make Her Mine
  8. Shangri-la
  9. Fallen For Brazil
  10. Coup de Grace
  11. Ooh, Ooh (single mix)

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

KeCraig... the new project featuring Keith Howland (Chicago) and his brother Craig

Keith Howland, the current guitarist of the band Chicago, has just released his new project CD, just before starting Chicago Japan Tour. The project is called as "KeCraig", which is a brotherly jam between Keith Howland and drummer Craig Howland, his brother. The Howland brothers went into Keith's home studio over the Thanksgiving holiday and recorded the bortherly jam sessions with only guitar and drums. The result was beyond their expectation, thus Keith added some bass, “KeCraig” was suddenly becoming a legit project. Jeff Babko layed down some killer keys that glued the project together and produced the final result. As far as I have heard MP 3 clips, I am sure that there must be huge energy all through the album. Really COOL fusion album, never smooth jazz...

Keith explains about this project as follows; "The new project is called "KeCraig" and features my brother on drums, Wheeler Castlebridge on bass, and the great Jeff Babko on keys. All instrumental and ranging from rock to jazz, this one is truly an improvisational jam that feels very live....cause it was. "

Label: GraceNote Records, USA
Release Date: March 28, 2008
Tracks: 1. Snake It Tuggly 2 Bugman 3. Mr. Muain 4. Kaflooey 5. Bujutie 6. What Are You Helmets Looking At? 7. Not So Sure 8. I Hate Heat 9. Dad!10. Clean Martino

Marco Taggiasco / This Moment

Early January of 2005, Marco Taggiasco, Italy based arranger and producer appeared in front of me with his first solo album "Thousand Things" recroded in Feb. 2004 featuring young gifted vocalist named Andrea Sanchini. I wrote on this blog that the first track "Never Too Late (For Love)" on the album reminded me of Eric Tagg's melodies and that the voice of Andrea Sanchini is very similar to that of Bill Cantos. Thus, it did not take a long time before the record became a little cult item mostly in Japan and Northern Europe.

On April 10, Marco Taggiasco will release his 2nd solo album "This Moment". You must be very excited to hear who participates in this forthcoming CD. Recording sessions have been done in Rome, Copenhagen and L.A. The album counts two unreleased tracks written by ERIC TAGG and a remake of Orleans' oldie "You've Been Runnin'". Most of the tracks are performed again by Andrea Sanchini. Surprisingly, ERIC TAGG features on the opening track, coming back in the studio after 10 years of absence! Among the special guests' names pops up the one of David Pack, delivering an incredible performance on the title track. Acclaimed Danish/American singer-songwriter Anne Marie Bush features on the touching adult-contemporary ballad April In My Heart. Her new album’s release is expected at the end of spring and will contain a song produced by Marco. "I wanted the album to be representative of different sides of my work" - Marco explains - "and having such great talents performing on this record gave me the best chance to do it.They are the real stars in this project". This Moment will be available on CD Baby and iTunes starting from April 10. Until the release date, I recommend you to visit Marco Taggiasco's official web to listen to sound clips from forthcoming album!

Marilyn Scott / Every Time We Say Goodbye

Marilyn Scott's Japan-only new studio CD has arrived! The album entitled "Every Time We Say Goodbye" features 10 American standard songs with a bunch of stellar jazz musicians. Marilyn spent 3 days in New York City in late August 2007 recording this straight-ahead 4 beat jazz vocal album only for Japan. You might remember that Marilyn released an album "Nightcap" in 2004, covering eight jazz standards such as "Stardust", and if you love "Nightcap" album, this is another one for you.

Label: Venus Records, Japan (TKCV-35419)
Release Date: February 20, 2008
Producers: Tetsuo Hara, Todd Barkan
Musicians:
Piano: Cyrus Chestnut
Guitar: Paul Bollenback
Bass: Gerald Cannon
Drums: Willie Jones III
Sax, Clarinet: Ken Peplowski

Track Listing:
1. Every Time We Say Goodbye (C. Porter)
2. I Got Lost In His Arms (I. Berlin)
3. Lonely Town (L. Bernstein)
4. Detour Ahead (H. Ellis, L. Carter, J. Frigo)
5. Do You Know The Way To San Jose? (B. Bacharach)
6. Autumn In New York (V. Duke)
7. I Love Paris (C. Porter) 8. Cry Me A River (A. Hamilton)
9. Caravan (D. Ellington, J. Tizo)
10. Somewhere(L.Bernstein)

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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