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Mark McMillen / It's About Time
Cleveland born Mark McMillen raised in Colorado. In 1982 when He was thirty years old, his song “So Not To Worry” was recorded by Chaka Kahn on her 1982 self-titled album. Otherwise you might already be aware of his name on your huge Adult Contemporary Music CD collection. Yes, he is touring with Bobby Caldwell as the keyboard player and as the Musical Director since 1992. He also toured with Randy Crawford in Europe and USA. And you might also find that Mark wrote "I Give In" (on the album "Soul Survivor" 1995) recorded by Bobby Caldwell and "Sense Of Humor" (on the album "City Lights" 1998) recorded by Mark Winkler. As a producer, Mark McMillen produced Mark Winkler's album "City Lights" in 1998. As you guess, music style of this album is very similar with Bobby Caldwell's good AOR. If you would like to listen to good-old Bobby Caldwell, not traditional Jazzy Bobby Caldwell, this album is highly recommendable. Release: 1998 Label: none - self-released (MGM1952) Tracks: 1. Talk Me Down 2. Bring It On 3. So Much More 4. Love Had It's Day 5. Soul Mates 6. You're Everywhere 7. Sleepwalkin' 8. I Give In 9. Living On Love 10. Saving Grace 11. Sense Of Humor 12. The Last To Know Producer: Mark McMillen Mark McMillen: Vocals, Keyboards, Programming - Musicians - Guitar: Holger Fath Sax: Michael Lington Background Vocals: Anjani Thomas #MarkMcMillen
Adult Contemporary AOR None CDTakeito
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Lareé Gibson / Wakin' Up To My Dreams
Who is Lareé Gibson? I had no idea honestly when I got the e-mail from David Diggs in 1999. The Only thing I believed was that this unknown artist might be worth listening because this artist was fully produced by David Diggs. A week later, I received her CD from David and soon the CD was on my CD player. When I listened to the first few tones of the first track, I felt this must be a good album and after listening to the all tracks, I believed I should promote her by reviewing this album on my then web “Adult Contemporary Music In Japan”. Therefore I did. Here is her bio I got in 1999; "LA Southern California native, Lareé Gibson has continuously broadened her exposure as a singer/songwriter throughout her years in the industry. Influenced by Elton John, Carole King and Gerry Rafferty, the stage was set for her to develop the kind of indescribable musicality, integrity and confidence so resonant throughout each aspect of her artistry. Lareé has traveled extensively across the Western United States with numerous talented musicians. Her recent CD release "Wakin' Up To My Dreams" is produced by Top Ten artist David Diggs and features such acclaimed artists as Scott Henderson (TribalTech), Brandon Fields (George Benson, Dave Weckyl, etc.), Joseph Heredia (Mendoza, Heredia, & Neto - release in Japan) and Ken Wild (Seawind). The album masterfully intertwines Rhythm & Blues, Pop, Rock and a touch of Jazz delivering an innovative West Coast sound." Release: 19 February, 1999 Label: none (LG 2000) Tracks: 1. Come Back To Me 2. Look Inside My Heart 3. One Life 4. Surrender 5. Wakin' Up To My Dreams 6. Monday Morning 7. Things Are Different Now 8. Somehow She Knows 9. Another Road To Follow 10. Live For Today Producer: David Diggs Lareé Gibson: Vocals, Piano, Percussion - Musicians - Keyboards, Piano & Acoustic Guitar: David Diggs Drums: Joseph Heredia Bass & Acoustic Bass: Kenny Wild Guitar: Scott Henderson Acoustic Guitar & Mandolin: Mitch Holder Sax: Brandon Fields Piano: Charles Williams Tablas: Robbie Diggs #LareéGibson
Adult Contemporary Contemporary Jazz None CDTakeito
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Tony Sciuto / Island Nights
It may be hard to imagine for non-Japanese that Tony Sciuto was one of the most successful AOR artists selling an album in Japan at the opening year of 1980's and that on the FM radio, Japanese boys and girls could listen to his smash hit "Island Nights" many times every day. After selling quite a large number of "Island Nights" vinyl copies here in Japan, Tony did Japanese tour which was very successful too. Unfortunately, Tony's "Island Nights" did not sell well in USA. As the result, his second album "Be My Radio" which was ready to go, were never released then. In July 1999, Tony Sciuto self-reissued the album "Island Nights" as the 20th Anniversary Limited Edition CD with 4 bonus tracks; 2 live recordings and 2 unreleased tunes. However, the quality of the master was not good enough. We had to wait for another 12 years + to have the satisfactory remastered edition by Vivid Sound Japan that had 8 bonus tracks (2 studio recording tracks already on the above-mentioned 20th Anniversary edition plus 6 unreleased studio recording materials. Precisely, second self-reissued digital remastered edition was released in 2011, but Vivid Sound did not agree with the remaster, thus extra months were spent. Speaking of the bonus tracks on 2012 edition, “ Where Would We Be Without Love?” and “ One More Time Until Tomorrow” were Richie Zito and Joey Carbone 1978 productions, featuring Tom Saviano on Sax, and “Going Through The Emotions” and “Temptation Alley” were recorded in 1979. “Ragtime” was recorded in 1976 featuring clarinet by his dad. “ On The Cold Street” and “Black & Blue Heart” were written and recorded after the “Island Nights” album release in 1980. Release: 1980 Label: Epic Records, USA (NJE-36152) Tracks: 1. Island Nights Theme 2. Island Nights 3. Hold Back A License 4. You’ve Got A License (To Drive Me Crazy) 5. Cafe L.A. 6. Trapeze 7. Angel 8. Captain Wonderful 9. .Street Dancer 10. Butterfly Producers: Steve Dorff, Tony Sciuto Tony Sciuto: Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards - Musicians - Guitars: Ben Benay, Tom Rotella, Steve Lukather, Larry Herbstritt Steel Guitar; Jaydee Maness Keyboards: Bill Cuomo, Gary Griffin Synthesizer: Steve Dorff Bass: Michael Sciuto, Mike Porcaro, Scott Edwards Drums: Ed Greene, Ron Tutt Percussion: Steve Warehime, John Raines Lyricon: Tom Scott Sax: Tom Scott, Jim Horn Flugelhorn: Chuck Findley Background Vocals: Ginger Blake, Venetta Fields, Shirley Mathews, Joe Chemay, Curt Betcher, Peter Noone, Michael Sciuto, Larry Herbstritt Bonus Track(s) added to to the reissued CD version(s): 1999 self-reissued edition (reissued in July 1999 no catalogue number) / Cool One-Stop - Cool Sound Inc., Japan (distributed from 10 September , 2000, COOS-2014) 11. Hold Back The Night (live in Japan) 12. Cafe L.A. (live in Japan) 13. On The Cold Street 14. Black & Blue Heart 2011 self-reissued edition (no catalogue number) 11. Where Would We Be Without Love? 12. One More Time Until Tomorrow 13. Going Through The Emotions 14. Temptation Alley 15. Captain Wonderful (1977 Demo) 16. Ragtime 2012 reissued edition (reissued on 22 February 2012, Vivid Sound VSCD-3533) 11. Where Would We Be Without Love? 12. One More Time Until Tomorrow 13. Going Through The Emotions 14. Temptation Alley 15. Captain Wonderful (1977 Demo) 16. Ragtime 17. On The Cold Street 18. Black & Blue Heart - Priducers and Musicians for bonus tracks - Producers: Richie Zito, Joey Carbone, Tony Sciuto Tony Sciuto: Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards Guitars: Richie Zito, Mic Taylor Keyboards: Joey Carbone, Scott Johnson, Richard Lake, Paul Soroka, Gary Griffin Steel Guitar: Hymle Banjo: Richard Roeder Bass: Michael Sciuto Drums: Steve Warehime, Larry Kegley Percussion: Steve Warehime Sax: Tom Saviano, Paul Soroka, Ray Sydnor, Al Rossl Lyricon: Paul Soroka Flugelhorn: Jimmy Wilson Clarinet: Antonino Sciuto Sr., Gordon Miller Sr. Trombone: Sammy Dyson #TonySciuto
4 8 AOR Epic Records, USATakeito
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PM / Street Of Dreams
In spite of commercial success, Warner Bros. did not support PM well enough and obliged to decide to leave the label in 1989. They made a decision to start back in the clubs again, trying out the new songs on the hometown audience. In 1990, the second album "Street Of Dreams" was recorded at the home studio of Jay Oliver and released only on a cassette. The CD version "Street Of Dreams" (1993 limited edition of 2,500 copies) includes "Love Blue", "Kiss And Tell", "Cowboys And Indians" and "Rose In The Rain" additionally recorded in 1991, instead of "Room For Love". It is not known that Jason Scheff joined them on backup vocals on the title track "Street Of Dreams" because we could not find guest credit on the album booklet or back inlay. Release: 1990 Label: none (self-release, no catalog number, cassette only) Limited CD edition release: 1993 Label: Shadow. Records, USA (SR21150) Tracks: 1. Wind On The Water 2. Right Time To Tremble 3. Tender Moments 4. River City Sunday 5. My Intuition 6. Room For Love + 6. Love Blue * 7. Nothing To Lose 8. Restless 9. Between Love 10. Bang! Bang! Bang! 11. Street Of Dreams 12. Sister Annie 13. Kiss And Tell * 14. Cowboys And Indians 15. Roses In The Rain * + original 1990 cassette edition only * Bonus tracks added to 1993 re-released CD edition Producer: PM PM: PM: Peter Mayer: Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards Roger Guth: Drums, Keyboards Jim Mayer: Bass, Vocals - Musicians - Background Vocals: Jason Scheff (not credited) #PM #PeterMayer
AOR None Shadow. Records, USA CassetteTakeito
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Green Eyed Radio
After releasing third album “Red Wine & Lemonade” in 1993, PM was ended. Almost 3 years later Peter Mayer came back with his first solo album “Green Eyed Radio”, the first pressing ofwhich was self-released and thus no label no catalog number. Soon, the CD was re-released and widely distributed in USA by Pool Party Records. As you see , Roger Guth and Jim Mayer, both ex PM members supported the album production. And we could see Mayer’s live shows promoting Green Eyed Radio featuring Roger Guth when I could attend Disneyland Paris show in 1997. “Shall We Dance” must be one of Peter Mayer’s killer tracks and its promotional video was well produced. Release: 1995 Label: none Tracks: 1. Green Eyed Prelude 2. All The Tea In China 3. Shall We Dance 4. Send Me The Love 5. In The Meantime 6. The Onion 7. Michaelangelo 8. Under Your Spell 9. One And One Makes Three 10. Suzannah 11. Funny 12. Blue River 13. Teh Green Eyed Radio Producers: Jim Mayer, Peter Mayer Peter Mayer: Vocals, Guitar, Sitar - Musicians - Guitar: Vince Varvel Keyboard Progamming : Jay Oliver, Vince Varvel Bass: Tom Kennedy, Jim Mayer Drums: Roger Guth Percussion: Roger Guth, Jay Oliver Strings Performance: Jay Oliver Background Vocals: Jim Mayer Harmonica: Greg Taylor #PeterMayer
AOR None CD 1995Takeito
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Paul Bliss / The Edge Of Coincidence
Birmingham-England born Paul Bliss released nice UK AOR albums with Bliss Band; “Dinner with Raoul” (1978) recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, the guitarist for Doobie Brothers, and Neon Smiles (1979) on CBS Records. One of the Bliss Band song “How Do I Survive” was covered by Amy Holland, the current spouse of Michael McDonald in 1980 on her debut album and the first single from the album, peaking at number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Thus Bliss became recognised as a songwriter and provided a song “Take My Time” for Sheena Easton debut album in 1981, then co-wrote a hit song “Heart Attack” with Steve Kipner, for Olivia Newton John reaching number 3 on Billboard chart in 1982. In 1983, Bliss wrote 3 songs solely and 2 songs with Steve Kipner for Hollies album “ What Goes Around...”. For Al Jarreau, Bliss wrote “Muphy's Law” on the 1984 album “High Crime” it might be interesting to know that Bliss also wrote a song for Janet Jackson; that was “Communication” on her second album “Dream Street” released in 1984. The impressive opening track of Celine Dion’s 1990 English language international debut album “Unison”; "(If There Was) Any Other Way" was his composition. Bliss also co-wrote the following second track "If Love Is Out the Question". Bliss was however, primarily known for being backup musician for the British Bands, "The Hollies" and "The Moody Blues" from 1989 to 2009. According to the liner notes with the CD written by. Bliss, "The Edge Of Coincidence" is a collection of demo recordings since 1983. The initial intention was to re-record them all, but apart from being a monumental task time-wise he concluded that many of the original recordings had an atmosphere he did not want to lose. Thus, Bliss’ version of "Castled On Quicksand" is included, which was performed by Think Out Loud, Peter Beckett and Steve Kipner's duo unit on 1997 “Shelf Life” album. “Heartache To Heartache” was recorded by Amii Stewart in 1988. The album also features self-remake versions of three Bliss Band songs; “How Do I Survive”, “Chicago” and “Rio”. “Telepathy” was originally performed by Al Jarreau on 1986 “L Is For Lover’ album. The CD is closed by “Innocent Eyes”, the title song of Graham Nash’s fourth solo album released in 1986. Release: late 1997 / 25 September, 1999 (Japan) Label : None, UK (self-release) / Cool Sound Inc., Japan (COOL-036) Producer: Paul Bliss Tracks: 1. Castles On Quicksand 2. Heartache To Heartache 3. How Do I Survive 4. Musical Pictures 5. Chicago 6. Rio 7. I Used To Love The Radio 8. One In A Million 9. Valiant Heart 10. The Eyes Of A Child 11. Hand On Your Heart 12. Unsung Heroes 13. If Love Is Out The Question 14. Telepathy 15. Law Of The Jungle 16. Innocent Eyes Paul Bliss: Vocals, Keyboards - Musicians - Lead Vocal: Susie Benson (Track 4), Micky Feat (Track 9), Jackie Rawe (Track 13), Ian Palmer (Track 14) Back Vocals: Sharon Campbell Guitars: Phil Palmer #PaulBliss
AOR Cool Sound Inc., Japan None CDTakeito