ACMJ International Blog

Lee Ritenour /RIT 24bit digital remastering reissue now available!

Everybody knows that there are many albums of Lee Ritenour to be reviewed. Having said so, among AOR/Westcoast lovers, this album should be the highest priority CD to be listened because of its production with David Foster. Otherwise, this is the best Eric Tagg featured albums. Mr. Briefcase", the opening track of this album is really the masterpiece tune. Generally, this album is well-known for "Is It You"? which reached #15 position on the US chart.
This album has been reissued on CD several times. Probably, the first reissue was done in 1994 by Discovery Records, USA. Therefore, most of this blog readers seems to possess this album already on CD like me. And there is not necessary for you to read how this album is awesome. Comparing 2007's 24 bit digital remastered CD with the 1994 release, the 2007 CD is far better in terms of clearness and powerfulness. Worth considering whether you will replace this masterpiece now!

Label: Warner Music Japan (WPCR25049) (Original Release: Elektra Records, USA)
Release Date: June 27, 2007 (Original Release: 1981)
Producers: David Foster, Harvey Mason and himself
Lee Ritenour: Guitars, Vocoder Vocals, Guitar Synth.
Musicians:
Drums: Harvey Mason
Keyboards: David Foster, Michael Boddicker, Greg Phillinganes, Richard Tee, Greg Mathieson
Bass: Abrahama Laboriel, Louis Johnson, David Hungate, John Pierce
Drums: Jeff Porcaro, Alex Acuna, Rick Shlosser
Percussion: Steve Forman, Paulinho Da Costa
Trumpet, Flugel Horns: Jerry Hey, Chuck Finley, Gary Grant
Trombones: Lou McCrary, Charles Loper, Bill Reichenback
Vocals: Bill Champlin, Eric Tagg
Strings Arangement: Johnny Mandel

Tracks:
1. Mr. Briefcase
2. (Just) Tell Me Pretty Lies
3. No Sympathy
4. Is It You?
5. Dreamwalk
6. Countdown (Captain Fingers)
7. Good Question
8. (You Caught Me) Smilin'
9. On The Slow Glide
10. No Sympathy (Reprise)

Janey Clewer "Perfume"

Janey Clewer has recently finished producing her 4th solo effort "Perfume".

The CD features 11 intoxicating songs plus 2 bonus tracks and the unbelievable musicianship of Vinnie Colaiuta, Randy Waldman, Dave Boruff , George Hawkins, Ian Wallace and the acclaimed gutarist Bruce Gaitsch, her spouse.

This album is more jazzy than her former albums. If you like her pop melodies, "I Concentrate On You" will be the one for you. Supposed tracklisting (not confirmed as yet) except 2 bonus tracks would be:

1. I Have A Thing For Sting
2. Perfume
3. She's In The Room
4. Cancel April
5. Fool In Love
6. All's Not Fair In Love And War
7. Exposed
8. I Concentrate On You
9. I Had A Bad Dream
10. He Was With Me
11. It Does My Heart Good

"Perfume" will be released in December 25, 2004 in Japan by Cool Sound, and will be available through CDbaby and her official website.

Marc Jordan "Make Believe Ballroom"

Marc Jordan has just released his brand-new studio recording album " Make Believe Ballroom" for Blue Note/EMI Canada, which is the follow-up to his Blue Note/EMI debut, "This Is How Men Cry" (1999)

In 2002, Marc released his first-ever greatest hits compilation, "Living In Marina Del Rey", which I believe you already have.

This new album Includes newly penned originals and cool jazz interpretations of pop classics, offering blends the perfect mix of jazz, easy listening, pop with even a dash of Country by Marc.

Tracklisting is as below:-

1. Lulu The Acrobat
2. Let's Waste Some Time
3. When Rita Takes The "A" Train
4. Lonesome Town
5. Tears Of Hercules
6. Shot Down My Heart
7. Everytime We Say Goodbye
8. Timbutktu
9. The Best Part Of My Life
10. I Must Have Said Your Name Out Loud
11. From A Late Night Train

MARK PORTMANN: Westside / Driving Beverly Hills

CD Baby: MARK PORTMANN: Westside - hear and buy it at CD BABY. -

Mark Portmann, A Grammy nominated & ex-Rippington keyboardist now releases his third solo album featuring an All Star musician lineup combining bluesy, funky, smooth, sexy rhythms with original sensuous piano, sax and guitar melodies.
The brand new CD is entitled "Westside", the return of his rich, lyrical, pop flavored jazz melodies.

It is not necessary to name who involves but I hereby do:-
Drums: Harvey Mason, Vinnie Coluita, Steve Ferrone, Bernie Dresel
Bass: Freddy Washington, Jr., Neil Stubenhuas
Guitar: Paul Jackson, Jr., Michael Landau
Sax: Michael Paulo, Scott Kreitzer,
Percussion: Raphael Padilla
Vocals: Leslie Smith

Last but not least, you might be pleased to hear this additional news:-

Mark Portmann also now gives you the opportunity to get his debut solo album "DRIVING BEVERLY HILLS" again now, which had been unavailable for a long time and became one of the highest price e-bay items.
Musicians include: Michael Paulo (sax), Jeff Kashiwa (sax), Freddy Washington, Jr (bass), Jerry Watts (bass), Ron Komie (gtr), Paul Jackson, Jr (gtr), Steve Reid (percussion), Steve Ferrone (drums), Tony Morales (drums), Greg Bissonette (drums), Herman Matthews (drums), Alan Hinds (gtr), Steve Bailey (bass), John Defaria (gtr), Philip Ingram (vocals), Machun (vocals), Mark Portmann (piano, keyboards, programming, arranging, producer, composer), Ed Smart, Matt Fronke, Wendell Kelly Eric Jorgenson Harry Kim (horns), mixed by Humberto Gatica.

Tom Keane 2 Aosis album now available as a special package

Tom Keane's two Aosis Records releases is currently available as a limited 2CD's special package in reasonable price. Tom released 6 tracks CD's"I Love a Gershwin tune" and "Smoove and Juicy Covers" under Japanese adult contemporary label Aosis Records, whose releases can be listened on the ANA (All Nippon Airways) international flight.
If you should miss those CD's done by Tom, now is the chance to buy.

Title: I Love a Gershwin tune / Smoove'and Juicy Covers
Release Date: April 21, 2004
Label: Aosis Records, Japan distributed by Victor Entertainment (VICL-69515,69516)

Tracks:

I love a Gershwin Tune（Disc-1）
01 Embraceable You
02 'S Wonderful
03 Someone to watch over me
04 Summertime
05 Love is here to stay
06 They can't take that away from me

Smoove' and Juicy Covers（Disc-2）
01 Through the Fire
02 Tell me what I gotta do
03 One more time around
04 Will you still love me
05 No one emotion
06 Loving every moment

Greg Mathieson / West Coast Groove

GREG MATHIESON

Greg Mathieson's brand-new Studio project CD called "West Coast Groove" will hit the globe soon! The 10 tracks CD includes 8 instrumental and 2 vocal tunes.
Bill Champlin sings these 2 vocal tracks: "Foreign Fire" / "Love Will Take You" and a new instrumental version of the Champlin/Mathieson tune "Party Time In DC".

# Release Date: Feburary 1, 2004
# Greg Mathieson: Keyboards
# Musicians:
$ Guitars: Michael Landau
$ Bass; Abraham Laboriel Sr.
$ Drums: Abraham Laboriel Jr., Vinnie Colaiuta
$ Percussion: Luis Conte
$ Vocals: Bill Champlin

#Tracks:
1. QTn, 2. Groove Buster, 3. Take Your Time,
4. Foreign Fire, 5. Love Will Take You, 6. Party Time In DC
7. Slippin' On Sunday, 8. Put Your Mind On Vacation
9. Thinking About Bill-E, 10. Barbarella