Fergie Frederiksen / Equilibrium

Fergie Frederiksen, the second lead singer of Toto, stayed with Toto for only two years and released an album “Isolation” in 1985., but core fans know the fact that Dennis “Fergie” Frederiksen sang with Trillion and LeRoux before Toto.
Looking back to pre Toto era, Frederiksen moved to Chicago in 1975 and replaced Tommy Shaw, who left for Styx, in MSFunk. In Chicago, Frederiksen formed Trillion with Patrick Leonard and released self-titled debut album for Epic Records in 1978. In 1980 he moved to Los Angeles and then released a solo album under the pseudonym David London for Metronome Records, Sweden. Then, Frederiksen joined Le Roux and released an album “So Fired Up” in 1983. After he left Toto, Fergie basically burnt out thus we did not have his works before 1994 when Frederiksen / Phillips album was released. Again we were obliged to wait for Frederiksen’s next album for 5 years. Finally his first solo album (except David London’s one) was released in 1999. All the tunes are not so heavy and not hard. And you might be surprised to see the songwriter's name for the album. Steve Kipner, Bobby Caldwell, Richard Page, Steve George, John Lind, Martin Page and Brock Walsh dedicated their tunes to Fergie. However, you never expect the pure pop Westcoast sound from those names. The album was well produced by Ricky Phillips and basic tracks were done by Ron Wikso, Bruce Gowdy with Phillips, that meant the basic style was like mid 1980's American Hard Rock. Comparing with Frederikesen-Phillips album, this album was pop one. I love "Mata Hari" which reminded me of Toto’s fifth album "Isolation" featuring Fergie as the lead vocalist.

Release: 24 February, 1999
Label: MTM Music, Germany (INT 995.581) / Bareknuckle, Japan (AVCB-66062)

Tracks:
1. Blaze of Love (Phil Gladstone / John Van Tongeren / Chris Thompson)
2. Mata Hari (Susan Hamilton /Buskin / Gorgoni)
3. Equilibrium (Fergie/Ricky Phillips/Jim Peterik)
4. All For Love (Martin Page)
5. The Best I Can (Ricky Phillips / Bruce Gowdy / Fergie Frederiksen)
6. Crazy (Bobby Caldwell / Steve Kipner)
7. Tell Me Diana (Bobby Caldwell / Jeffrey Hull)
8. Falling Into Place (Richard Page / Steve George)
9. The Truth Is Good Enough (Fergie/ Jim Peterik)
10. Died In The Midst of A Dream (Jon Lind / Brock Walsh/ Nicky Brown)
11. Language of Love (Ricky Phillips/Neal Schon)

Producer: Ricky Phillips

Fergie Frederiksen: Vocals

- Musicians -
Drums: Ron Wikso
Bass: Ricky Phillips
Guitars: Bruce Gowdy, Tim Pierce, Rocket Ritchotte, Neal Schon, Danny Laine
Nylon String Guitar: Marcus Nand
Slide Guitar: Michael Monarch
Keyboards: Bruce Gowdy, Steve Porcaro, Ricky Phillips
String Arrangement: Guy Allison
Background Vocals: Kelly Hansen, Ricky Phillips, Jason Scheff, Jeff Scott Soto

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