Cult AOR luminaries MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND return with a brand new album "Future Past". Frontiers Records, Italy is excited to announce the return of MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND with the release of the brand new album “Future Past” on February 24th in Europe and February 28th in North America.
In 1988, after working to try and get a deal with his band Slang, guitarist Michael Thompson finally got signed by Geffen Records to release one album entitled "How Long", under the Michael Thompson Band (MTB) monicker.
On "How Long" some great studio musicians appeared as guests, in particular drummer-maestro Terry Bozzio, singer Moon Calhoun (ex The Strand), Pat Torpey (later on drummer with Mr Big), bassist Jimmy Haslip, John Elefante (Kansas), Toto's Bobby Kimball and Great White associates Michael Lardie and Wyn Davis (who also produced the album). Songwriters would include, among others, AOR stars such as: Jeff Paris, Mark Spiro, Billy Trudel and Brett Walker.
As of today “How Long” is still regarded as one of the highest examples of hi-tech AOR / West Coast, with a superb production and immaculate songwriting. “I think the album has stood the test of time with a great batch of songs and some really strong performances. It was heartfelt and I think people respond to music that comes from the heart. I'm glad that many fans of melodic rock still list this record amongst their favourites,” tells Michael Thompson.
“How Long” was reissued in 2007 with 3 bonus tracks and started a relationship between Michael Thompson and Frontiers Records, which finally brings the anticipated release of the new Michael Thompson Band album in early 2012. “I've tried to keep the new MTB album "Future Past" in the same spirit as "How Long". I'm hoping that people will hear the natural progression of my music and appreciate the new record as much as the first one,” continues Michael. “Although 22 years is quite a gap time-wise the music was recorded with the same feeling and spirit as I always had”.
For the new album Michael teamed up with the awesome singer Larry King from Soleil Moon. Larry brought a new and more rocking approach to the MTB sound, but certainly the trademark elements of songwriting and melodies are still to be found in the new album “Future Past”. In Michael Thompson words: “When I was considering singers for this new record I said to myself “Who is the best rock singer that I know?” and only one person came to mind - Larry King. The guy has such a phenomenal range and texture and it goes perfectly with my guitars. We started writing songs together a little over a year ago and from the first song, "Can't Be Right", I knew we had something special!”
MTB 2012 lineup is rounded up by Khari Parker on drums and Alan Berliant on bass. “Larry brought them into the picture and it was a pleasure for me to work with some knew guys that I wasn't familiar with. It brought a fresh approach to the music,” says Michael.
The production of “Future Past” is just flawless and the album is destined to become soon another AOR music classic. “I think that the title kind of says it all - "Future Past"” concludes Michael. “Larry and I are both big fans of Classic Rock and AOR Melodic Rock so we just naturally infuse that love into the music that we write. It's elements of the past with a modern approach”.
“Future Past” tracklisting includes: High Times; Can't Be Right; Future Past; When You Love Someone; Here I Am; Beautiful Mystery; Break Me Down; End Game; Gypsy Road; Can't Miss 2012; Fight For Your Life.
The first single “Can’t Be Right” can be listened in full in streaming on the Frontiers Web Radio now! Tune in at: www.frontiers.it/webradio
Michael Thompson is one of today’s leading guitar players of the world. He was awarded the "Distinguished Alumni" award from his Alma Mater Berklee College of Music to commemorate his contributions to the music industry. Berklee's program for the event noted that "he is widely regarded as being among the elite studio session players, and his amazing list of credits includes such prominent names as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, 'N Sync, Toni Braxton, Phil Collins, Rod Stewart, the Scorpions, Vince Neil, Christina Aguilera, Michael Bolton, Mariah Carey, Bette Midler, Madonna, Babyface, En Vogue, Gloria Estefan, Stanley Clarke and Ricky Martin."
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!
One of the 1980's Soulful Melodic AOR band must be Franke & The Knockouts fronted by Franke Previte with Tico Torres (well-known drummer for Bon Jovi later). Their smash hits like "Sweetheart", "Without You (Not Another Lonely Night)" would remind us of TOTO of those days so much. Franke & The Knockouts original recordings have been unavailable for several years... that is until now. Friday Music, USA is about to release "The Best Of Franke & The Knockouts - Sweetheart Anniversary Edition" now. This stunning newly remastered Greatest Hits features 19 hit tracks including all of their classic songs, including two unreleased bonus tracks, the original rockin' version of "Hungry Eyes" and the power ballad "Beat Of A Broken Heart" with new liner notes by Franke Previte, unissued photos, and original artwork elements not seen in years.
You should note that the reissues will continue. Bill Champlin, Marc Jordan and Steve Kipner follows in August. In September, more to come. Save your money for grabbing the masterpieces. As of today, CD Japan does not carry VIVID reissues. As you may aware, Amazon.co.jp and HMV.co.jp sells but their international shipping option is very limited and thus very expensive. As far as I found, YesAsia.com seems to be the best in terms of international shipping charges. Please click the below link if you are interested in buying Maxus and other VIVID reissues.
- Label: Vivid Sound, Japan (Original: Warner Bros Records, USA)
- Release Date: July 21, 2010 (Original:1981)
- Producer: Michael Omartian
- Maxus:
- Lead Vocals and Pianos: Jay Gruska
- Painos, Synthesizers and Vocals: Robbie Buchanan
- Bass and Vocals: Mark Leonard
- Drums and Vocals: Doane Perry
- Guitars: Michael Landau
- Additional Musicians:
- Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
- Synthesizers and Percussion: Michael Omartian
- Background Vocals: Bill Champlin, Tommy Funderburk, Jennifer Williams
- Tracks:
- The Higher You Rise
- Nobody's Business
- What You Give
- Keep A Light On
- Your Imagination
- They Danced
- Part Of You
- Don't Try To Stop Me Now
- Where Were You
Frontiers Records to release the anticipated YOSO debut album Former members of YES and TOTO return with a new band! Here is the immediate official press release;
Napoli, May, 2010 – The term “Super-Group” can only describe the band arising out of two of the most creative bands of the past 30 years: YOSO is formed out of TOTO’s brilliant lead vocalist Bobby Kimball and the creative force of former YES members, Tony Kaye and Billy Sherwood, thus equalling the magic of YES with the voice of TOTO. However, YOSO is much more than a combination of two classic rock groups. The band’s debut album “Elements” - which comes together with a bonus live CD where the band plays some old and new classics – presents a fascinating combination of the sound of YES ("90125"/"Big Generator" era) and TOTO, with a very interesting and original sound that truly encompasses the styles.
"Elements” will see the light of day on July 2nd in Europe and July 27th in the USA, where the band has already scheduled a number of tour dates in support of the album’s release, on Frontiers Records. Even though the band's heritage is from 2 classic bands, YOSO intends to become its own identifiable entity in a very short time, YOSO’s collective mission is to make the next decade one where YOSO’s music will be held up alongside their classic rock backgrounds as a band as important as TOTO and YES.Billy Sherwood recalls: "YOSO was started when I suggested to Bobby Kimball we should write some new music and form a band, we had been working together on various tribute projects I was producing and one thing lead to another, before too long we had 5 songs in the can and were well on our way to making a record and thinking seriously about taking it to the next level. Once there was a few songs underway the concept grew into the band we now have, " YOSO ". YOSO line-up was later rounded out with two amazingly gifted musicians: Johnny Bruhns as the guitarist and background vocalist and Scott Conner on drums, percussion and background vocals. YOSO does indeed have the magic of YES and the voice of TOTO. However, in 2010 the band intends to convince fans of both bands that the brilliance of YOSO will be just as celebrated in the years to come. “Elements”
tracklisting includes: Yoso; Path To Your Heart; Where You’ll Stay; Walk Away; The New Revolution; To Seek The Truth; Only One; Close The Curtain; Won’t End Tonight; Come This Far; Time To Get Up; Return To Yesterday. Bonus live CD: Yoso; Rosanna; Owner of a Lonely Heart; Walk Away; Good For You; Yes Medley (Yours Is No Disgrace/Heart of the Sunrise/South Side of the Sky/Starship Trooper/I’ve Seen All Good People); To Seek the Truth; Hold The Line; Cinema; Gift With a Golden Gun; White Sister. More song streaming, live clips and info available on: www.myspace.com/yosohq
YOSO - US Tour dates (more TBA)
11 August - Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA
12 August - The State Theatre, Falls Church, VA
15 August - Ramshead Tavern (Ramshead Onstage), Annapolis, MD
17 August - B.B. King's Blues Club and Grill, New York, NY
19 August - Kent Stage, Kent, OH
20 August - Syndicate Dinner Theatre, Newport, Ky
21 August - Lake Clementia Amphitheatre, Rancho Murieta, CA
YOSO
Bobby Kimball; vocals
Tony Kaye: keyboards, background vocals
Billy Sherwood: bass, vocals
Johnny Bruhns: guitar, background vocals
Scott Conner: drums, background vocals
GIANT’s come-back album “Promise Land” will hit the market on February 26th in Europe and March 9th in the USA. In late 80's, Dann Huff and his drummer brother David hooked up with Alan Pasqua and Mike Brignardello to form Giant, and eventually signed with A&M Records and released 1989's “Last of the Runaways”, featuring a top-20 hit with "I'll See You in My Dreams". The follow up album "Time to Burn" in 1991 was more aggressive but still magnificent. Soon after the release of “Time To Burn”, Alan Pasqua left the band and went back to session work. The band toured o Europe without him, but soon after disbanded. Although the reunited album “III” was released in 2001, Dann’s busy schedule along with the other members’ commitments, made the reunion impossible to carry on. As time went by it became apparent that Dann Huff could not be a full part of this concept, even though he loved everything that Giant was. Thus original members, drummer David Huff and bassist Mike Brignardello, who wanted to go back to Rock, started an endless research for the right musicians that could be part of a renewed Giant line-up. And in the end the choice fell on singer extraordinaire Terry Brock (Strangeways, Seventh Key) and on John Roth (Winger) on guitars. In April 2009 the band started the writing and the recording sessions of the new album, with Dann Huff himself participating to the sessions, co-writing with the new line-up members. Please note that bonus track only available in the first pressing in digipak “Promise Land” was mixed by Ben Fowler and mastered by Joe Palmaccio.
In addition to the brand-new album release, Bad Reputation Records, France has just reissued their first album "Last of the Runaways" digitally remastered with 4 bonus live tracks taken from 1990 Japanese release "It Takes Two plus Giant Live!".