ACMJ International Blog

Fergie Frederiksen / Happiness Is The Road

 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.

• Label: Frontiers Records, Italy (FR CD 531) / Japan: Rubicon Music (RBNCD-1071)
• Release Date: 14th October, 2011 (Europe), 18th October (USA), 26th October (Japan)
• Producer: Dennis Ward
• Musicians:
  • Dennis Ward - Bass Guitar, Guitars, Keyboards and Background Vocals
  • Dirk Bruinenberg - Drums
  • Nathan Eshman - Guitars
  • Eric Ragno - Keyboards
• Tracks
  1. Angel(Mirror To Your Soul)
  2. Elaine
  3. First To Cry
  4. Follow Your Heart
  5. Happiness Is The Road
  6. I Still Believe
  7. Lyin Eyes
  8. Love Waits For No One
  9. Writing On The Wall
  10. The Future Ain't What It Used To Be
  11. The One
  12. The Savior
  13. Follow You Heart (Acousic) (Japanese version only)

Here is the new Fergie's new video clip "Follow Your Hear" taken from the album. Enjoy!

King of Hearts / 1989 now available in Europe

"1989" was the unreleased debut album of King Of Hearts. Songs in the Tim Feehan meets Richard Marx vein. King of Hearts are: Tommy Funderburk, Bruce Gaitsch, Kelly Keagy & George Hawkins, feat. Bill Champlin, CJ Vanston, and the Eagles members Timothy B. Schmit & Randy Meisner! After being shelved for almost a decade “1989” was first released in 1999 in Japan only. The Japanese edition is long out of print and has become a sought after item. With the current release through Avenue Of Allies all AOR and Westcoast fans will have the great chance to add the King Of Hearts debut album to their collections. The first pressing comes as a limited Special Edition in a jewel case with an individually numbered additional slipcase and an extensive booklet including lyrics, new liner notes by Bruce Gaitsch and previously unpublished pictures from the recording sessions.

• Label: Avenue Of Allies <Avenue 11 05 0025> (Original Release: COOL SOUND, Japan <COOL-029>)
• Release Date: April 29, 2011 (Original Release Date: May 25, 1999)
• Producer: David Cole
• Co-producer: Bruce Gaitsch
• King Of Hearts:
• • Tommy Funderburk: Vocals
  • Kelly Keagy: Vocals and Drums
  • George Hawkins: Vocals and Bass
  • Brue Gaitsch: Guitars
  • Additional Musicians:
  • CJ Vanston: Keys
  • Bill Champlin: B3
  • Timothy Schmit and Rand Meisner: Backing Vocals
• Tracklisting
1. Working Man
2. In So Many Words
3. Don't Call My Name
4. Smack Dab
5. Remember When
6. Hold On To Love
7. Under The Gun
8. Lovin' Arms
9. Was It Good 4 U
10. Everyday
11. King Of Hearts

Mr. Mister / Pull

There were several legendary unreleased albums AOR/Westcoast fans would pray for their official releases in late 80's and mid 90's. One was Boy Meets Girl's "New Dream", the other one was Chicago's "Stone Of Sisyphus". Those 2 albums were finally released and another one had been left. Yes, it is Mr. Mister's unreleased 4th "Pull". Only 1 song from the unreleased album "Waiting In My Dreams" was first featured on the band's "The Best Of Mr. Mister" CD. The album was recorded from 1989 to 1990, but due to the band's being left without a record company - and subsequent breakup - the album was left unreleased until 2010. Finally, the album was revisited by Richard Page, the voice of Mr. Mister (and Pages) and it has been remixed and finally become available through Richard Page's own Little Dume Recordings label. If you knew how the unreleased original version was, you might find that the track order is changed. In any event, this is the first official release of the long long awaited album "Pull". Now is the time to rediscover Mr. Mister.

• Label: Little Duma Records, USA (MMPULL2004)
• Release Date: November 23, 2010
• Producers: Paul De Villiers & Mr. Mister
• Mr. Mister is:
• • Richard Page - Vocals, Bass, Guitar
  • Steve George - Keyboards, Background vocals, Sax
  • Pat Mastelotto - Drums, Percussion
  • John Lang - Lyrics
    
• AdditionalMusicians:
• • Buzz Feiten - Guitar (Track 5,6)
  • Trevor Rabin - Guitar (Track 1,5,6,11), Additional bass (Track 1,6,11)
  • Doug Makaskell - Guitar (Track 3,11)
  • Peter McRea - Guitar (Track 9,10)
  • James Harrah - Guitar (Track 12)
  • Luis Conte - Percussion (Track 1, 4, 8, 11)
• Tracks
• 1. Learning To Crawl
     
  2. Waiting In My Dreams
  3. Crazy Boy
  4. Close Your Eyes
  5. Lifetime
  6. I Don't Know Why
  7. We Belong To No One
  8. Burning Bridge
  9. No Words To Say
  10. Surrender
  11. Awaya

Maxus / Maxus

Year 2010 would be one of the best year for AOR/Westcoast music lovers who seeks for the masterpieces reissued CDs. VIVID Sound and Japanese major labels such as Universal Music, Japan and Sony Music would is now very active to rerelease AOR/Westcoast masterpieces remastered on HDCD, high-definition CD format with LP style mini paper sleeves this summer and coming autumn. The opener of the reissues is the best of the best AOR/Westocast gem, Maxus (1981).
Maxus is said to be another early 80's super-unit of LA firstcall session musicians, rivaled to TOTO. The group Maxus was: Jay Gruska (pianos, lead vocals), Robbie Buchanan (pianos, synthesizers, vocals), Mark Leonard (bass, vocals), Doane Perry (drums, vocals) and a young Michael Landau (guitars). You can listen to Jay Gruska's high-tone vocal and amazing guitar play of Michael Landau's and perfect combination of the other band members on this album. Sadly Maxus turned out to be a short lived experience, they released only one album. in 1999, the album had been once reissued in Japan but out-of-print for a long time.

• 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:
  1. The Higher You Rise
  2. Nobody's Business
  3. What You Give
  4. Keep A Light On
  5. Your Imagination
  6. They Danced
  7. Part Of You
  8. Don't Try To Stop Me Now
  9. Where Were You

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.

Giant's come-back album "Promise Land" release and their acclaimed 1st album reissue

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.

• Label: Frontiers Records (FRCD449)
• Release Date: February 26, 2010 (Europe), March 9, 2010 (USA)
• Giant is:
  • Vocals: Terry Brock
  • Guitars: John Roth
  • Bass: Mike Brignardello
  • Drums: David L. Huff
• Guest Musicians:
  • Guitars: Dann Huff
  • Keyboards: Tim Lauer, Jack Holder
• Tracks:
  1. Believer
  2. Promise Land
  3. Never Surrender
  4. Our Love Prisoner of Love
  5. Two Worlds
  6. Plenty of Love
  7. Through My Eyes
  8. I'll Wait For You
  9. Dying To See You
  10. Double Trouble
  11. Complicated Man
  12. Save Me

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!".

• Tracks:
  1. I’m A Believer
  2. Innocent Days
  3. I Can’T Get Close Enough
  4. I’ll See You In My Dreams
  5. No Way Out
  6. Shake Me Up
  7. It Takes Two
  8. Stranger To Me
  9. Hold Back The Night
  10. Love Welcome Home
  11. The Big Pitch
  12. It Takes Two (Live)
  13. I Can’T Get Close Enough (Live)
  14. Shake Me Up (Live)
  15. I’m A Believer (Edit)

Trillion self-titled debut album digitally remastered reissue

Trillion, featuring Dennis Fredriksen (later became known as Fergie Frederiksen of TOTO) released their debut self-title album in 1978 when many american hard progressive melodic rock acts such as Journey, Boston, Foreigner, Styx and Kansas were establishing their firm position in the American popular music scene. Trillion was surely one of the best bands in the era but they were tragically underrated. The album was once reissued on CD in Japan in 1998 by Sony Music Entertainment, Japan and became one of the hard-to-find CDs for a long time among both progressive and melodic rock fans who had lost the opportunity to buy their own copies. With adventurous arrangements, young Fergie Frederiksen surely rocks on the album. Rock Candy Records, UK has just reissued this long-awaited album on digitally remastered CD!

• Label: Rock Candy Records, UK (Candy067)
• Release Date: February 3, 2010 (Original Release Year: 1978)
• Producer: Gary Lyons
• Trillion is:
  • Bass/ Vocals: Ron Anaman
  • Guitar/ Vocals: Frank Barbalace
  • Lead Vocals / Bells: Dennis Frederiksen (Fergie Frederiksen)
  • Piano / Keyboards: Patrick Leonard  
• Tracks:
  1. Hold Out
  2. Big Boy
  3. Give Me Your Money, Honey
  4. Never Had It So Good
  5. May As Well Go
  6. Fancy Action
  7. Hand It To The Wind
  8. Bright Night Lights
  9. Child Upon The Earth

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.

MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND / "How Long" (1989) reissue

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the reissue of MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND’s masterpiece “How Long” on June 8th 2007. In order to coincide with the release of Michael Thompson’s new band debut album TRW’s “Rivers of Paradise”, Frontiers and Michael agreed that it was a perfect time to re-release this masterpiece on the same day. Michael Thompson is nowadays one of the most well known and respected guitar players. He played with Michael Bolton, Great White, Cher, Shania Twain, Leann Rimes, Jennifer Lopez, Richard Marx, Faith Hill, Celine Dion, Madonna and several others.

In 1988, after working to try and get a deal with his band Slang for several years, Thompson got signed by Geffen Records to release one album entitled "How Long", under the Michael Thompson Band (MTB) monicker. The singer for this group was Rick 'Moon' Calhoun, previously front man for the AOR cult band THE STRAND, Michael's long time friend. Completing the line-up were another bunch of highly respected studio professionals such as: John Andrew Schreiner (on keyboards), Leon Gaer (bass), John Keane (drums). In 1989, the album "How Long" was released.

On "How Long" more first-call musicians appeared as guests, in particular drummer-maestro Terry Bozzio, Pat Torpey (of MR BIG), bassist Jimmy Haslip, ex KANSAS vocalist John Elefante, TOTO's Bobby Kimball and GREAT WHITE associates Michael Lardie and Wyn Davis (who also produced the album). Songwriters would include, among others, AOR luminaries such as: Jeff Paris, Mark Spiro, Bill Trudell and Brett Walker.

As of today “How Long” is regarded as one of the highest examples of hi-tech AOR / West Coast, with a superb production and immaculate songwriting. During the years it became more and more of a collector’s item and the prices paid on E-bay exceeded 80 dollars! This 2007 reissue comes completely remastered and adds 2 songs "Right To Be Wrong" and "Love Goes On" which were recorded during the original sessions and the first fruit of a reunion between Michael, Moon Calhoun and songwriter Jeff Paris entitled “Wheelchair”: an appetizer for an upcoming brand new album to be expected sometime in 2008 !

Label: Frontiers Records, Italy (FRCD-337) (Original Release: Geffen Records, USA)
Release Date: June 8, 2007 (Original: April, 1989)
Producers: Alan Niven and Wyn Davis
Michael Thompson Band is:
Vocals, Drums, Guitars: Moon Calhoun
Guitars: Michael Thompson
Keyboards: John Andrew Schreiner
Bass: Leon Gaer
Drums: John Kenae
Additional Musicians:
Drums: Terry Bozzio, John Robinson, Bernie Pershey, Pat Torpey
Bass: Trey Thompson, Jimmy Haslip
Guitars: Wyn Davis, Alan Niven
Percussion: Michael Fisher, Steve Forman, Wyn Davis
Background Vocals: Bobby Kimball, Billy Trudell, John Elephante, Tyana Parr, Patty Unaitis, Mike Lardie, Julia Waters, Maxine Waters, Myrna Mathews

Tracks:
1. Secret Information
2. Give Love a Chance
3. 1000 Nights
4. Wasteland
5. Never Stop Falling
6. Can’t Miss; Gloria
7. Stranger
8. Baby Come Back
9. How Long
10. Right To Be Wrong (bonus track)
11. Love Goes On (bonus track)
12. Wheelchair (2007 brand-new song)

Lionel's Dad "Pie" is now easy to buy.

Pleased to advise you that Lionel's Dad (Mark T. Williams) latest CD "Pie" is now available through DSB Records, Germany.

In spite of my notice the 6th solo CD "Pie" would be soon available through his official website in August on this ACMJ International blog, the website is still under reconstruction. Thus, I have not reviewed this CD on Adult Contemporary Music In Japan, my main website yet as of today. Now, I have been noticed through a post for Joseph Williams Mailing List that this CD has been easily available through the above-mentioned retailer.

Enjoy Mark T. Williams latest effort!