Lance Jyo / Pacific Rendezvous

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

• Label: Cool Sound, Japan (COOL-1310
• Release Date: August 31, 2011
• Producers: Lance Jyo, Raul Ferrando, David Kauahikaua, Joerg Alfter, Jon Basebase
• Musicians:
  • Lead Vocals: Kazutaka Ishii(Disc 1-Track2), Fukutomi Hideaki(Disc 1-Track2), Tetsuji Hayashi(Disc 1-Track2), Lance Jyo (Disc 1-Track2, Track11 / Disc 2-Track11), Galen Takushi(Disc 1-Track3,6 / Disc 2-Track4), Maurice Bega(Disc 1-Track4, 9), Jeff Pescetto(Disc 1-Track7), Dara Pestana(Disc 1-Track8 / Disc 2-Track4,8), Michael Ruff(Disc 1-Track10 / Disc 2-Track7,10), Zanuck Kapala Lindsey(Disc 2-Track1), Jon Basebase(Disc 2-Track2,5,6), Jonny Kamai(Disc 2-Track3), Garett Okubo(Disc 2-Track9)
  • Background Vocals: Dave Toma, Cheri Nakamura, Sunway Chong, Darla Pestana, Lance Jyo
  • Jay Graydon, Bruce Gaitsch, Ramon Stagnaro, Zanuck Kapala Lindsey, Dave Toma, Jon Basebase, Alan Kaneda, Ben Taaca, Jonny Kamai, Ben Vegas
  • Keyboards: Joerg Alfter, Raul Ferrando, David Kauahikaua, Jon Basebase, Dan DelNegro, Chris Saunders
  • Percussions: Adriano “Adj” Larioza, Jon Porlas
  • Sax: Todd Yukumoto
• Tracks (Disc 1 - Maukaï <ˆMountain Side>)
  1. Tantalus 7pm
  2. The Best Is Yet To come
  3. Tropic Paradise
  4. All My Life
  5. Falling
  6. Marina
  7. I Need Your Love
  8. If I Could
  9. Crazy About You
  10. Forever Love
  11. Anna
• Tracks (Disc 2 - -Makai <Ocean Side>)
  1. Cool Sound (new version)
  2. Believe In Me (new remix)
  3. Together As One (new version)
  4. True To You (new version)
  5. I Believe In You (new version)
  6. Only For You (previously unreleased)
  7. Lover’s Vows (new version)
  8. Forever By Your Side
  9. 9. I’ll Be There For You
  10. 10. Finally Found A Home (new version)
  11. Diamond (new remix)