ACMJ International Blog

The LA Cowboys / Endless Summer

‘Endless Summer’ is one of the early 90’s most under-rated Westcoast / AOR albums, despite its high quality. This is because this album was released only in Japan, with little promotion in 1993. The LA Cowboys are comprised of James Studer and Wayne Nelson. When Endless Summer was released, Japanese Westcoast / AOR fans did not pay much attention to the album because of misleading promotion by the label, which I will detail later. There were no music websites in those days, thus Westcoast / AOR music lovers in Europe or the United States had no way of knowing about this album. The album was already out of print by the time people started to talk about it. When it was reissued by AOR Heaven in 1998 in a limited 1000 copies, it did not take a long before the warehouse became empty. In the late 80's. while Wayne Nelson kept busy with LRB, James Studer started to produce Mari Iijima, a young talented Japanese female singer/songwriter. They met while recording Mari’s album ‘Miss Lemon’ in 1988, and were married the following year. James co-produced Mari's next 8 albums, which featured first-call LA musicians including Joseph Williams, Jeff Porcaro, John Robinson, Michael Landau, Lenny Castro and LA Cowboy partner, Wayne Nelson. It was during this time that James and Wayne got a recording deal for their own project. Yes, this was “Endless Summer”. You might feel interesting that the album closes with a very beautiful ballad “Something In My Heart” featuring Joseph Williams as the lead singer. Also you should note that many great musicians were involved in this hidden gem; Michael Thompson, Buzzy Feiten, Tris Imboden, Mick Fleetwood, George Hawkins Jr. and many others. I hope you will enjoy this reissued CD for years to come !

• Label: AOR Heaven, Germany (AOR HEAVEN CLASSIX 004) (Original Release: insideout-Toshiba EMI, Japan)
• Release Date: December 3, 2010 (Original Release Date: March 31,1993)
• The LA Cowboys are:
• • James Studer: Keyboards, Vocals
  • Wayne Nelson: Bass, Vocals
• Additional Musicians:
• • Guitars: Michael Thompson, Charlie "Icarus" Johnson, Thom Rotella
  • Drums: Tris Imboden, Chris Frazier, Mick Fleetwood
  • Bass: George Hawkins
  • Sax: Michael Paulo
  • Percussion: Arno Lucas
  • Background Vocals: George Hawkins, Richard Bryant, Mari Studer
  • Lead Vocals (Track 10): Joseph Williams
• Tracks:
  1. Tokyo Woman
  2. Endless Summer
  3. Aubree's Melody
  4. Say You Love Me
  5. Holding Back The Tears
  6. Know Me By Heart
  7. Eye Of The Storm
  8. Walk Me On The Water
  9. Terra
  10. Something In My Heart

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.

Peter Friestedt / The LA Project 2010 expanded edition

It was December 2002 when Peter Friestedt released his 1st leader album,"The LA Project". The album was recorded in North Hollywood, between December 1999 to July 2000. The album features co-written with and lead vocal performances by Bill Cantos, Michael Ruff, Joseph Williams and Bill Champlin. Among the players we find legendary names, such as Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip, Abraham Laboriel, Brandon Fields, Jeff Richman and Michael Shapiro. Zink Music, Sweden has updated the booklet, adding lyrics and additional liner-notes from Bill Champlin, Bill Cantos, Michael Ruff and Peter himself, designed an overall more up to date look, still using the original cover picture! The expanded edition has been added 4 bonus tracks, a live version of “Peace Of Mind”, with Bill Cantos from 2004, a cool alternate version of “Livin’ in Your Eyes”, a tremendous instrumental version of “Take A Little Chance” and a never before released instrumental called “Cruisin”.

This highly praised album is a must if you are into Chicago, Toto, Airplay, Maxus and all othr giants of the genre! Well produced in HDCD, well crafted songs all performed by the best there is!

• Label: Zink Music, Sweden (ZMCD 009) / P-Vine Records, Japan (PCD-24258)
• Release Date: May 21, 2010 <Japan: July 21, 2010> (original release: December 2002)
• Producer: himself
• Peter Friestedt: Guitars, Keyboards, Fingersnaps
• Musicians:
• • Lead Vocals: Bill Champlin (Track1, 5, 7, 11), Bill Cantos (Track 2, 9, 12), Michael Ruff (Track 3), Joseph Williams (Track 4)
  • Keyboards: Russell Ferrante, Bill Cantos, Stephen Gunnarsson, Michael Ruff
  • Guitar: Jeff Richman
  • Bass: Jimmy Haslip, Abraham Laboriel
  • Drums: Michael Shapiro, Ralph Humphrey
  • Sax: Brandon Fields, Bob Minzter
  • Background Vocals: Bill Champlin, Bill Cantos, Michael Ruff, Joseph Williams, Stephen Gunnarsson, Sharon Perry
  • Additional Musicians:
  • LA Project Horns
  • Sax: Sven Fridolfsson
  • Trumpet: Lennart Grahn
  • Synth Orchestra Programming: Tobias Marberger
  • Protools: Lar Nilsson
• Tracks:
• 1. Livin'in Your Eyes
  2. Peace Of Mind
  3. Only Prayer
  4. Gotta Find It
  5. Time To Play
  6. All Alone
  7. Take A Little Chance
  8. Storyteller
  9. Peace Of Mind II
  10. Cruisin'
  11. Livin'in Your Eyes (Alternate Version)
  12. Peace Of Mind (Live Version)
  13. Take A Little Chance (Instrumental version)

CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY in true, discrete Quadraphonic sound for the first time ever!

Rhino Handmade raids the vault again to release Chicago's chart-topping debut, CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY in true, discrete Quadraphonic sound for the first time ever. Mastered from early 1970s Quad mixes, the DVD offers unheralded takes on the band's unique fusion of rock and jazz. CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY rose to the top of the charts in 1969, with 12 unforgettable tracks including the hit singles "Beginnings," "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" and "Questions 67 and 68." The now-classic release also contains a cover of Steve Winwood's "I'm A Man," "Prologue, August 29, 1968" (recorded at the Democratic convention) and an almost 15-minute live take on "Liberation."

NOTE: This is a music-only DVD release and can be played in DVD player with Surround Sound to fully enjoy the Quadraphonic mix as intended. Hear the difference. Sample front and back audio selections below or visit our Chicago Transit Authority Listening Party page to find out more about Quadraphonic.

• Never-before released: Chicago's timeless debut in true, discrete Quadraphonic sound for the first time ever
• Mastered from the original early 1970s Quad mixes
• NOTE: This is a music-only DVD release and can be played in any DVD player with Surround Sound to fully enjoy the Quad mix as intended.
• This release does not include a 2-channel stereo mix. DTS DVD features 4 channels of 24-bit, 96 kHz audio (down scalable to 24-bit, 48 kHz)
• Released on March 23, 2010

Only available at RHINO! Click here! (Pre Order started - March 03, 2010)

Peter Friestedt debut album "The LA Project" reissue with 5 bonus tracks

Peter Friestedt’s debut album “The LA Project” was privately released back in 2002 and later by BMG Sweden. It was recorded in LA and Stockholm and features lead vocals by Bill Cantos, Michael Ruff, Joseph Williams and Bill Champlin. Among the players we find legendary names, such as Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip, Abraham Laboriel, Brandon Fields, Jeff Richman and Michael Shapiro. The album has been out of print for several years now and thus been a much sought after item within the Westcoast community, this time with a great booklet and five bonus tracks; two live cuts, two great alternative takes and one previously unreleased tune. The artwork has been reworked, still using the original picture though, lyrics are added as well as liner notes from the likes of Bill Champlin, Bill Cantos and from Peter himself. It will be available on April 16th, 2010 by Zink Music Sweden.

The Sweet Comfort Band has reunited and started to record new songs!

The Sweet Comfort Band was one of the pioneer Christian groups in the 1970's. In 1973, The Sweet Comfort Band was born! At this point Sweet Comfort consists of Rick Thomson on drums and vocals, his brother Kevin Thomson on bass, and Bryan Duncan on keys and vocals. Over the next 3 years, this trio tours around Southern California wowing audiences everywhere they went. In 1976, Randy Thomas joined the band on guitar and vocals. Their 1st album "Sweet Comfort" was released on February 3, 1977 for Maranatha! Music. "The Sweet Comfort Band became the hottest band in CCM with their 6 albums; "Breakin' The Ice" (1978), "Hold On Tight!"(1979), "Hearts of Fire"(1981), "Cutting Edge"(1982) and their final album "Perfect Timing"(1983) produced by Dino and John Elefante. As Sweet Comfort went their separate ways, the music continued. Bryan Duncan went on to a hugely successful solo career selling over a million records, and in recent years toured with his band NehoSoul, while Randy Thomas spent years with the band Allies, and then went on to become a major player in Nashville as a top notch guitarist. Randy co-wrote the huge hit "Butterfly Kisses" along with friend and former Allies band mate Bob Carlisle. Randy Thomas also played a pivotial role in Bryan Duncan and The NehoSoul Band's newest offering, as Randy mixed that album in his studio. In 2001, The Sweet Comfort Band came back together do to a reunion concert at Creation Fest 2001.

Retroactive Records, USA reissued their albums except their 1st in full color digipak, remastered CDs in November 2009. I would recommend you to revisit Sweet Comfort Band's great music! Further, in December 2009, The Sweet Comfort Band has reunited and are getting ready to record some new songs!!! Actually, Bryan Duncan tweeted on February 6, 2010; "just finished a song for Sweet Comfort Band about the bigger picture "Something Else" a rockin' "maroon 5" sounding tune." Now we can look forward to new Sweet Comfort Band's barnd-new album!

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

Chicago 16,17,18,19,21 Japanese Remastered edition with LP style paper sleeves now available!

In 2006, Rhino US reissued Chicago's acclaimed 1982 album introduced the smash ballad "Hard To Say I'm Sorry/Get Away," now one of the band's signature song with a previously unreleased Bill Champlin composition, "Daddy's Favorite Fool" as Expanded & Remastered Edition. However, this edition was not satisfactory among huge fans of the band because the edition features "What You're Missing" and "Love Me Tomorrow" single version instead of the original album version.

Rhino also reissued "17" at the same time using the original analog versions of "Only You", "Please Hold On", "You're The Inspiration" and "Prima Donna" and adding a Robert Lamm demo, "Where We Begin" as a bonus track.

Many fans had expected that the later Chicago albums "18", "19" and "21" remastered edition should follow soon. However, it did not happen.

Now in 2010, I am pleased to inform that Warner Japan has just reissued "16", "17", "18", "19" and "21" as Special Limited Remastered Edition with LP style paper sleeves. Those are one of the must-have CDs for die-hard Chicago fans from the below-mentioned viewpoint;

• Chicago 16: using 2006 Rhino Remaster, "What You're Missing" and "Love Me Tomorrow" original album version are included instead of single versions. Single versions of both songs are moved as bonus tracks. "Hard To Say I'm Sorry" (single version) are added as an extra bonus track, keeping "Daddy's Favorite Fool" as a bonus.
• Chicago 17: using 2006 Rhino Remaster, Original CD versions of "Only You" (shorter 5 seconds intro), "You're The Inspiration" (deleted guitar tone around 2min 42sec) and "Prima Donna"( one another repeat of bridge) are added as extra bonus tracks. Unfortunately, "Please Hold On" CD version much different from its LP analog version could not be included due to the recording master right issues.
• Chicago 18: 2010 Remaster. Single edit versions of "25 or 6 To 4", "Will You Still Love Me?" are added as bonus tracks.
• Chicago 19: 2010 Remaster. Single version of "Look Away", remixed version of "We Can Last Forever" and the single edit remix of "What Kind Of Man Would I Be?" are added as bonus tracks.
• Chicago 21: 2010 Remaster. Promotional only single edit/remix version of "Explain It To My Heart" are added as a bonus track.

Why don't you add these Japanese special edition to your Chicago collection now? Do not hesitate to clink on each album's jacket, which will bring you to the right place!

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